Day: August 22, 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 22

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) today imposed a nation width strike for all the banks across the country as protest against against privatisation of banks and writing off of corporate Non-performing Assets (unpaid loan).

As a part of the strike UFBU, Manipur state committee staged a sit-in protest today in front of State Bank of India, M.G. Avenue.

Speaking to media persons, UFBU, Manipur state co-convenor, Soibam Indrakumar said that in the last 27 years, hard earned peoples savings have been exposed to unscrupulous loot by big corporate houses and has created an astronomical figure of Rs. 15,00,000 crores of unpaid loan.

He added instead of stringent measures for recovery of the bad loan, the government is planning to privatise banks and propose the merge of weak banks with stronger one to enable them make bigger banks which can finance bigger loans.

Pivatisation of banks will not be able to give priority for the poor and it will only give benefits to the rich and big corporate houses, said the co-convenor.

Indrakumar said that the strike is not for the bank employee but it is for the welfare of the whole public.

The top management of the bank should be held accountable for the mounting bad loans in banks, he added.

UFBU Manipur state appealed to the government to not privatise banks thinking for the welfare of the general public.

IMPHAL | Aug 22

The head of department of Radiodiagnosis, RIMS, Imphal has informed that MRI test will not be conducted in RIMS for a few days until further order as the MRI machine installed in the department is going through some technical problem, said a release by medical superintendent of RIMS.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 22

Lamphel police pick up the five protesters of 13th batch, fast-to death protest of the Home Guard’s Association and the 14th batch of the fast-to death protest started from today’s afternoon.

It has been two weeks the home guards personnel took up agitation demanding to increase their monthly allowance as directed by the Supreme Court.

During a recent meeting with the home guard representatives with the chief minister and other officials, the chief minister told them that the government can increase only Rs 2000 in their allowance as the state has less resource. On the other hand the home guard personnel had claimed that 90 percent of their allowance is to be given by the central government.

As the government cannot fulfill the home guard’s demand during the meeting, the association had decided to wait for a positive response from the government till the last day of the month by continuing the fast-to death protest.

IMPHAL | Aug 22

The National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), New Delhi has called for one day strike on August 23, demanding 10 points charter of demands. A release by divisional secretary of All India Postal Employees Union, Group-C, Manipur has stated that employees of Manipur Postal Division will join the strike on the particular day in support of NFPE.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |Aug 22

The ‘watershed meeting’ of the first Naga People’s Front (NPF) central executive council (CEC) headed by Neiphiu Rio which was held today in Kohima adopted six resolutions.

 The first resolution said that, the “NPF welcomes the good progress and achievements made thus far” in the government of India and NSCN (IM) peace process and the NPF is content that the political dialogue has reached the final stage.

“While appreciating the fact that the negotiating  parties understands the difficulties and limitations of both the entities, the NPF urge upon the negotiating parties to expedite the peace process with more zeal in order to bring  about an amicable and honourable solution respecting the unique Naga history at the earliest,” it added.

 The second resolution stated that, “for too long, the presidential decisions and actions of Dr. Shürhozelie  Liezietsu was engulfed  within the perimeter of four deleterious  tenets .i.e autocratic, dictatorial, undemocratic and unconstitutional”. While suspensions and expulsions of the party legislators became the order of the day, Dr. Shürho abusively converted the NPF party into a family fiefdom, it alleged.

 “Therefore, in order to save the party from further destructions and mutilations, the more then 2/3rd absolute majority of NPF Legislature Party selected Neiphiu Rio three times chief minister and MP (Lok Sabha) and the tallest Naga Leader as the interim president, consequently a grace period of 15 days was served to Dr. Shürho to repent and resign from the president,” it added. The NPF CEC then supported and endorsed the decision of NPF Legislature Party taken on July 31, 2017.

 It also adopted another resolution that, with the expiry of the 15 days deadline on August 13,  for Dr. Shürhozelie to step down as the president, the NPF CEC unanimously agreed that Neiphiu Rio shall no longer be the “interim president” but will become the full-fledged president of NPF.

 The NPF CEC then fully endorsed the decision of the president to convene the NPF General Convention on September 20, 2017 at Dimapur and extended its supports and endorsed the constitution of Search Committee for the selection of President and Central Office Bearers (COB).

 “While the ongoing leadership dispute and the crisis in the party is unfortunate, the NPF CEC sincerely appeals the general public not to Panic but to remain steadfast with the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, president NPF and TR Zeliang chief minister as to ensure peace and tranquillity. Meanwhile, the NPF CEC is confident that the leadership dispute shall be settled soon by the ECI”, another resolution added.

The Neiphiu Rio led NPF CEC extended its “unwavering and unflinching support to the leadership of Neiphiu Rio, President and T.R Zeliang, Chief Minister and further appeals to the party men and women to come and join the majority group and support the NPF led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government”.

Meanwhile, the Dr Shurhozelie led NPF has announced today convene “an emergency Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting” on August 25.

“In exercise of the powers conferred on me vide Article No IV Clause c (ii) of the Constitution, I, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, President Naga People’s Front do hereby convene an emergency Central Executive Council (CEC) Meeting on the 25th of August 2017 (Friday) at 11 am in the Central Office headquarters in Kohima. Therefore, all the Central Executive Council (CEC) members are directed to attend the meeting without fail,” said Dr Shurhozelie in his notification issued today.

IMPHAL | Aug 22

With an aim to create mass awareness and to pledge for eyes donation after death, Saksham, Manipur Prant is organising the ‘Eye Donation Campaign Fortnight’ programme on August 25, at Iboyaima Sumang Lila Shanglen, Konung, Imphal. The campaign will continue till September 8.

Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly, Y. Khemchand Singh and chairman MPCB & KVIB, government of Manipur L. Radhakishore Singh will attend as chief guest and president respectively, in the inaugural function of the campaign.

It is worth recalling that the National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed every year from August 25 to September 8.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 22

The JN Hospital Pharmacy Association today appealed to all concerned to approach the association in the event of misconduct meted out by anyone members of the association.

Speaking to media persons during a press conference held today, the general secretary of the association, N Jhalajit, said that pharmacist operating in and around the JNIMS hospital has been often given bad image by miscreants in several occasions.

The pharmacists have been implicated for wrong reasons for mischief and anti-social activities perpetrator by miscreants, who identified themselves as the member of the association many times, he said.

He said that they (association) have rounded up five youths were engaged in a brawl with patient parties recently in the premises of the hospital.

The youths who were drunk identified themselves as members of the association before leaving the place, he said.

The youths have been reportedly handed over to their family after counselling and have been identified as one K. Ajaydeva Meitei, 22, son of K. Tomba of Phabakchao, N. Boby Singh, 23, son of N. Joykumar Singh of Thanga Karang Konsam Leikai, M. Bidyananda Singh, 24, of Khoujuman Mayai Leikai, Chinglemba Longjam, 23, son of Yairipok Kekru and N. Premchand, 22, son of Bishnupur Khoijuman.

IMPHAL | Aug 22

Kangliepak Student’s Association (KSA) called off the 48 hours general strike which was scheduled from August 23 to 27 after coming to terms with the minister of CAF and PD, Karam Shayam and DGP L. M. Khaute, this evening.

Sources said that it was agreed between the two parties that a further meeting will be held along with the chief minister at 3 pm on August 25. It was resolved that the arrested students will be released without any conditions within the next 3 days, it said.

It was also agreed upon that the ongoing search and arrest of students is to be stopped altogether, the source continued.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 22

The Film Forum Manipur (FFM) maintaining that the Manipuri cinema is at the receiving end due to frequent interference, appealed to all concerned to refrain from giving further hindrances to secure the future of the cinema.

Speaking to media persons during a press interaction at the Manipur press club, S. Mangaoljao, FFM chairman, said it is a well-known fact the future of Manipuri cinema hangs in the balance for several reason. But, despite the fact, inference from various pressure groups continues putting the cinema at the receiving end, he said.

 The forum chairman appealed to all concerned to stop asking for donations and monetary demands of any forms.

Mangaolja further appealed to all concerned to avoid the trend of imposing frequent ban on Manipuri cinema for unintended error committee by film makers.

“As a human being we make mistakes. There may be loopholes while making a film but instead of targeting the film by banning it. We request any concerned groups to approach the forum and settle any issue amicably”, said Mangoljao.

The FFM chairman informed that the forum has reviewed its norm with regards to screening and producing Manipuri cinema.

Spelling of some of the new norms, he said that the forum will start conducting preview of film and music video weekly basis, every Saturday.

To do so film maker or producers are asked to approach the forum for the preview with relevant document on Friday, he said before adding that fine would be imposed if any of the film makers crosses the stipulated timeline.

He further informed that fine will also be imposed on producers or film makers, to seek registration of the title prior to filming.

To put up advertisement for films, to screen Manipuri cinema and music video through cable TV outside Imphal etc, permission should be sought from the forum failing which action would be taken against the producers, warned Mangoljao.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 22

Joint bodies strongly condemned the daylong detention of a retired Assam Rifles personnel at Khoupum Dithaolong without any reason by the Sikh Light Regiment posted at Namkaolong Part-1, Khoupum, Noney district.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal  Rongmei Lu Phwan(RLP) Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, president, Panti Gonmei said that on August 17 retired Assam Rifles personnel, Aku Panmei son of Gikhongai Panmei of Taolingpung was picked up from his residence by the Sikh Regiment and forced him to hold an AK-47 rifles and took snap to make him look like an UG cadre.

Earlier in July month he was picked up by the same Sikh Regiment while he was working in his paddy field and wrongly accused him as UG cadre and they even refused to entertain his identity card shown to them, she added. The Sikh Regiment even rang him up and threatened that they can even arrest women if they want to, said the Panti.

She continued that such action of the Sikh Regiment created fear among the people of Khoupum. “The sepoys shamelessly disrobed their uniforms when a woman appeared to fetch water,” added the president.

The joint bodies asked the Sikh Regiment to delete the photo of Aku holding the gun and also asked them to apologise for their inhuman act.

Panti appealed to all citizens and civil bodies of the state to condemn and extend solidarity to the fight against human rights abuse.