Day: September 9, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 9 

North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) along with other organisations including Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) and Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMM) among others protested against the Myanmar government for persecuting the Rohingya community, today in Chanakyapuri, Delhi.

A release signed by convenor of NEFIS, Chinglen Khumukcham said the Rohingya community has historically been discriminated in Myanmar with an active help from the ruling dispensation.

In the recent months, however, their persecution has increased manifold taking the form of ethnic cleansing, it said, adding instead of strictly curbing their persecution, the Myanmar government is actively denying the validity of incidents of their oppression.

The release further said Rohingya community in Myanmar has been denied any citizenship rights since decades, which has left them deprived of basic subsistence. Their plight has had been further intensified by their open persecution periodically, which has forced them to leave Myanmar or live in camps for internally displaced in Myanmar itself, it added.

 Even in these camps, little need is felt to acknowledge their basic human rights. Before the present spate of ethnic cleansing campaigns by Myanmar military, the community had been facing military violence in recent years, it said.

 The release continued, however, what is appalling in the present crisis is the role of Aung San Suu Kyi, a peace activist and the de-facto leader of Myanmar, who is vehemently denying the veracity of reports citing persecution of Rohingya community. Aid agencies estimate about 75,000 Rohingya people have fled into neighbouring Bangladesh from Myanmar since the violence erupted, it maintained.

NEFIS strongly condemned the Myanmar government for orchestrating a systematic campaign for killing Rohingya community and demanded that the Indian government to exert diplomatic pressure on Myanmar government to end the plight of Rohingya community.

NEFIS stands for equal citizenship rights for the Rohingya community and would be intensifying its campaign for building international solidarity for their rights and justice, said the release.

IMPHAL | Sept 9

Social welfare and cooperation minister, Nemcha Kipgen today lauded the exemplary achievements accomplished by the differently-abled persons of the state in various field, while delivering speech as chief guest at a felicitation ceremony.

In the ceremony, differently-abled persons who have achieved success at national and international level in sports and other fields were feted.

The minister expressed that persons with disability are gifted with extraordinary skills and talents. As such, our state today has witnessed many awardees among our own brothers and sisters. She urged PWDs to come forward and exemplify their hidden talents to all so that their talents do not go wasted. 

In today’s felicitation function, M. Premier Singh, international excellence awardee for service to disabilities, S. Luwanglakpa Meetei, international bronze medallist (Archery), L. Amarendra Sharma, national awardee – best individual in the category of professional working for the cause of persons with disabilities, Th. Sarju Devi, national awardee-best creative child award, Mandakini Takhellambam, 2011 Northeast Eshei competetion – 1st position & 2012 Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa mega position and S. Birla Devi, State awardee (Handicraft) & Guru Shishya Parampara were felicitated.

The function was jointly organised by Relief Centre for the Welfare of Differently-abled Persons Manipur & Disabled Development Association, Manipur at the Classic hotel.

Former president, relief centre, Ch. Opendro Singh, State commissioner for persons with disabilities, government of Manipur, Dr. R.K. Kumarjit Singh, Professor & HOD medicine, RIMS, Imphal, Brogen Singh Akoijam, social worker Ayam Meiraba Khuman, chairman and managing director Nongin Integrated Business Solution-NIBS, Lenin Hirom attended the occasion as president and guests of honour, respectively.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL| Sept 9

The 2nd community radio station of Manipur named ‘Radio Loktak’ was inaugurated today at Uchiwa Leirak Achouba, under Mayang Imphal assembly constituency, Imphal west.

The radio station which will broadcast at 90.4 Mhz of Frequency Modulation (FM), has got its wireless operating license (WOL) under ministry of information and broadcasting, and ministry of communication and information technology, government of India. The first of its kind in Manipur is Daimond FM Radio, Khongjom, Thoubal district.

Health minister L. Jayantakumar and MLA, H. Dingo expressed happiness that the radio station will give awareness programmes to the people about saving the Loktak Lake.

Mayang Imphal A/C MLA, K. Robindro also expressed that he will provide all the support he can and urged that efforts should be made to make the radio station a popular one by broadcasting programmes that would be beneficial to the people. He also urged that the radio station should take a big role in saving the Loktak Lake.

 It may be mentioned that the first programme of Radio Loktak will broadcasted daily from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm and its second programme will start at evening from 6 to 8.30. Variety programmes will be broadcast during these hours.

The station director of the newly installed Radio Loktak, S. Suranjoy said that a community radio station comes under the third phase of the broadcasting system of the government of India.  Such stations provide information and programmes about the welfare schemes and initiatives undertaken by the government for the people residing at villages and remote areas.

This would help fill the existing gap between the government and the people. Community radios have reached an advanced stage in India; around 200 such stations have been opened, he said.

He further said that planning for the construction of the community radio station had been going on since 2012 and today was a dream come true. However, there is so much more steps to be taken up.

 The people had provided a big support in the making of this radio station. Radio Loktak can broadcast its signal up to 30 kilometres. It aims to provide signals to Mayang Imphal area, and listeners from other three surrounding assembly constituencies.  The radio station will be run by integrated community development organisation; he said and urged the people to provide further support. 

On the inaugural ceremony, minister of Health, L. Jayentakumar attended as chief guest, MLA of Mayang Imphal assembly constituency, K. Robindro as president and MLA of Hiyanglam assembly constituency, Dr. Y. Radheshyam, MLA of Sekmai assembly constituency, H. Dingo, DIG, Manipur police wireless department, S. Dwijamni, project director of LDA, S. Bhagaton and others well known people from the villages attended as guests of honour.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 9

A one day seminar on “Emerging printing technologies and scope of Manipur vis-à-vis India’s Act East Policy” was held today at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal. It was organised by the All Manipur Press Association (AMPA).

Delivering the chief guest’s speech at the inaugural function of the seminar, printing and stationery minister, L. Dikho congratulated all those people who are taking the initiative to find out the endless possibilities in printing, publishing and packaging market and who are prepare a platform for future globalised market.

“The adaptation and installation of modern printing processes of computer to plate (CTP) imaging technology in place of the older technology computer to film (CTF) is very encouraging and promises of a bright market and job opportunities,” he added.

Moreover, the proximity of the state with Myanmar and other South East Asian countries couple with Indian’s Act East Policy adds up to another advantage in the field of printing and publishing, continued the minister. 

Dikho said that though Manipur is a small state it is never behind other states as the people of the state have abundant talent and knowledge in every field. He hoped that the printing technology in the state will witness accelerating growth in the near future.

The minister assured that the state government will give full cooperation and support the All Manipur Press Association in their developmental works.

The guest of honour of the function, MLA, Heikham Dingo congratulated the organisers for providing a platform for the members associated with press and its allied business to understand the emerging trends in the printing industry.

“Organising such seminar will help in adopting the latest technology and accelerate the growth of printing business in the state,” he added.

The function was attended by AMPA president, Laiphrakpam Kumar Singh as president, information and public relation director, Meghachandra Kongbam, Konica Minolta representative, Sanjay Kumar Anand, DIC Color and Comfort representative, Prabir Ghosh as guests of honour.

IMPHAL | Sept 9

The 8th foundation day of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU-RCM) was celebrated today at the university campus at Makhan, Kangpokpi district.

The programme was attended by chief secretary of government of Manipur, R.R. Rashmi as chief guest while the director of IGNTU-RCM, Ramjeevan Singh Thakur was the president. The guests of honour were media advisor to chief minister of Manipur, Irengbam Arun, and former OSD of IGNTU-RCM, Th. Oliver Monsang.

During the occasion, the chairman of the organising committee, Ng. Ngalengnam highlighted the importance of celebration of foundation day of the university.

R.R. Rashmi congratulated RCM for its achievements in the last few years. He also extended the contributions made by the state government and expressed the desire to continue support to the university.

Ramjeevan Singh highlighted the existing structure of the campus, recent achievements and future plans to be taken up in the days to come, while Th. Oliver explained how IGNTU-RCM was established and contributions made by the state government.

Irengbam Arun congratulated the IGNTU-RCM and mentioned the importance of the higher education in today’s contemporary Manipuri society.

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL |Sept 9

Following an assurance from the State government today the Liangmai organisations have decided to postpone their proposed agitation indefinitely in connection with the August 1 “rape and attempt to murder incident” in Senapati.

However, in the event of the failure from the side of the State government to keep its assurance the Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR) and Liangmaipui Naga Ruangdi (LNR) said that they will resort to different forms of strong agitation.

Leaders of the two Liangmai organisations and chief minister, N Biren Singh held talks today in Imphal where the latter assured the Liangmai organisations that the State government will bring justice to the victim at the earliest time.

The chief minister appealed the Liangmai organisations to give the State government some more time in this connection.

It may be recalled that the victim is now surviving with multiple stitches in her head and hands after a month long treatment in a hospital in Imphal. The victim is carrying eight scars in her head and hands.

On September 7, Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR), the apex students’ body of Liangmai tribe and Liangmaipui Naga Ruangdi (LNR), the women organisation of the Liangmai tribe, had served 48 hours’ ultimatum to the State government demanding the arrest the culprit involved in the “rape and attempt to murder” incident.

Also on Thursday, the two Liangmai organisations had threatened to launch series of intense agitation if the culprit was not arrested within 48 hours. The period of ultimatum lapsed today.

“We will wait and see whether the State government will keep its assurance or not,” expressed LNKR leader Diphiu. He also said that the Liangmai organisations have decided to postpone their agitation hoping that justice will be delivered to the victim at the earliest.

Ex-CM vows to fight for justice, extends cooperation to probe for truth

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 9

Denying charges of graft former chief minister O. Ibobi Singh today said the allegations against him of financial misconduct are “baseless,” pledging to fight for clearing his name out of the scam.

Making his first reaction after the Imphal police station registered an FIR under sections of IPC and Personal Liabilities Act relating to cheating, criminal conspiracy and breach of trust on September 1 the former chief minister told a press conference at his quarter at Babupara that “registring an FIR against me without any concrete evidence of my involvement in the MDS case is unfortunate.”

Ibobi, who left Imphal on August 30 on a private tour returned here yesterday. He got interim anticipatory bail on September 6.

“I will extend my fullest cooperation to any investigation by a neutral agency be it CBI, NIA, enforcement directorate of any other agency. I want the truth found out fast. If I am found guilty by the court I will accept the verdict and I am prepared to serve jail term,” he said.

Claiming that he did not do anything wrong and sign any cheque while he was the chairman of MDS for short period of time Ibobi said “truth cannot be concealed for long. It will come out as the fire could not be covered up by a cloth.”

He said the inquiry by the State Vigilance Commission, on the basis of which the police registered the FIR, was initiated by him while he was the chief minister after consulting the then chief secretary. Because of the Assembly election his government could not take further action, he claimed.

“I am not involved in any irregularity in the MDS. I did not sign any cheque. They can confirm it from the banks where the agency has its accounts. As the matter is in the court I don’t want to comment much though I want to say many things. Before registering the FIR they could have first find out any evidence against me,” Ibobi said.

When asked if the charges levelled against him are politically motivated, the former chief minister reiterated that making charges of criminal conduct without any proof is unfair and people can have their own judgements whether it is politically motivated or not.

Responding to another question on why he applied for bail if he is innocent Ibobi replied that since a case has been registered against him he does not want his name tarnished when police arrest him.

“But I will fight against the charges. I will be the happiest person when the truth is dug out,” he said.

Ibobi said so far police have neither approached him for recording his statement and nor send any paper to him till today.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 9

Senior reporter of Sanaleibak daily, Taorem Biswajit Singh was awarded with Kangabam Chaoba Memorial PACRECPA Society Journalist Award with cash award.

The award was distributed at the 30th foundation day cum annual award presentation of Panthoibi Cultural Research Centre for Performing Arts is held today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound with a good number of attendance.

The function was attended by titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba as the chief guest. He said that the successive governments do not seemingly show interest in arts and culture. He urged the present government to change that attitude now.

He acknowledged the efforts of PACREPA in uplifting the rich culture of the state. He also said that he would talk to the chief minister N. Biren Singh to look more deeply into the development of arts and culture of the state.

The annual book publication of the organisation called “Larei Lathup” was released during the function by the dignitaries.

While Taorem Biswajit Singh received the Kangabam Chaoba Memorial PACRECPA Society Journalist Award. Tonjao Meidingu, literary personality was awarded Th. Priyobarta Ningshing Nongpok Ningthou Lifetime Achievement award for his contributions to Manipuri literature.

Eminent social leaders namely Y. Kiran and Dhanabir Laishram delievered lectures on the topic “Role of NGOs to build an ideal state” and “Human life and socio cultural responsibilities” respectively.

Dhanabir said that the rich and profound cultural heritage of the state is slowly losing its importance. “Now should be the right time to start the process of getting back to our culture and do more promoting and protecting,” he added.

R.K. Nayansana, former director of Agriculture and Dhanabir Laishram, social scientist attended the function as presidium members.

Twenty-nine other personalities were also given awards.