Day: September 22, 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 22

Demanding various demands All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) staged a sit-in-protest in front of Manipur Baptist Convention, Chingmeirong today.

Speaking to media persons, president of ATSUM, Vareiyo Shantsang said the union demands appointment of adequate number of teaching and non-teaching staffs in hill districts under autonomous district council, education (S), secondary lecturers and assistant professors in government colleges.

He demanded that teachers should be placed at one’s actual posting place. Utilisation of service in other work place is one of the main factors for degradation of education system in the state, Vareiyo added.

Vareiyo said there are confirmed reports that a good number of teachers posted in the hills are being uitilised in various work places to serve the interest of politicians.

All hill districts’ residential schools require highly qualified teachers, well-equipped library and infrastructural amenities. If there is proper provision for establishment of such school under education (S), it is suggested to have residential schools both in hills and valley wherever feasible, Vareiyo asserted.

There are no proper infrastructural facilities for Zonal Education Offices and construction of buildings with proper infrastructural facilities will be a step higher to make the office more vibrant, he said.

Considering the acute shortage of teachers, ATSUM demands regularisation of 333 adhoc teachers who have been verified by a special committee along with teachers or employees who were recommended for regulation by High Court of Manipur.

He further said reservation seats for admission at Manipur University which clearly states that 31 percent for ST, 2 percent for SC and 17 percent for OBC should be implement immediately.

The government should look into the primary health sub-centres, primary health centres, community health centres etc. to make them functional with proper equipment and infrastructure.

Proper quarters should provided for doctors and nurses and the government should formulate a policy for transfer and posting in health department to avoid irregularities, he added.

The government should re-organise and demarcate the police jurisdiction for each district to avoid overlapping.

If the government fails to take necessary action by September 27, ATSUM will call the next day 24 hours total bandh in the state..

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 22

Lok Sabha MP, Jitendra Choudhury from Tripura said that the NDA government at the Centre is using the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to interfere in political matters for electoral gains and to eliminate all the Opposition parties.

He was speaking to media persons today at Manipur Dramatic Union hall, Imphal.

The MP said that BJP is instigating the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) to press for the creation of a separate new state from Tripura and he charged that BJP is trying to gain control by disturbing the communal harmony of the state.

Jitendra further charged that BJP is also indirectly involved in the killing of a journalist at Tripura on last Wednesday during the IPFT agitation.

Tweenty-eight year old Shantanu Bhowmik was killed while covering an agitation on Thursday, evoking strong condemnations country-wide.

The peasants suicide rate in the country during the three year rule of the NDA government has increased 42 percent when compared to suicide rate during the rule of UPA government, he charged.

The MP said that the formation of the BJP led government in the state is not possible without corruption practices as Congress party got the single largest majority with 28 MLAs and BJP only 21.

He asked the people to not fall in the trap of BJP government which ignores the crisis and issues of the people and diverted their promises.

IMPHAL | Sept 22

Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO) has appealed to all its subordinate units of CNPO, government establishments, NGOs to obtain its permission before taking up any form of protest in Chandel district.

A release issued by its president, L. V. Robert said that the CNPO warned of critical consequences if the organisation is undermined or superseded.

It said, “Chandel Naga People’s Organisation is compelled to issue this statement in order to maintain cordial relationship, peace and tranquillity in all walks of life.”

“The CNPO comprises of nine Naga tribes which is formed under the motto, “Unity, Justice, Peace and Progress” renders its selfless services for the welfare of the people, execute its duties and responsibilities in the interest of the people and protect our land and people as enshrine in the construction”, the release added.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Sept 22

The rain that started falling heavily for two days since September 19 have caused flood at Wabagai and made many damages in a large scale.

To provide support and relief to the affected areas, Citizens Association for Rural Development, Wabagai have appealed the authorities concerned and the government to draw attention.

This year, Wabagai had already been suffering from repeated flood which caused loss of many ripening rice and overflowed several fish farms. The breaching took place at a part of Sekmai River for a length of around 70 feet this time and submerged around 100 hectares of paddy fields.  

The same area was breached earlier this year and the people were still recovering from it. However, no relief materials had been provided so far by the government.  

At such a crucial moment to start preparing for the coming harvesting season, around 1000 hectares of paddy field which would provide rice for 70,000 people for a year have been destroyed. This will cause many difficulties in the livelihood of many.  Therefore, the association has appealed the government to draw immediate attention to the prevailing issue and provide necessary help.

IMPHAL | Sept 22

National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Manipur unit today organised a protest at B.T. Road, lmphal demanding justice for Pravish Chanam and whereabouts of the missing Manipuri student, Bitto Taorem.

A release said that NSUl, Manipur state demands an immediate CBl enquiry to bring the concrete answers of the incidents and to book the culprits at the earliest.It demanded through the chief minister and deputy CM of Manipur to react in time into this matter to bring justice by contacting through their counterparts of U.P.

“Why the state leaders still remain silent on this issue. They could have done a lot to make the investigation faster and more transparent, if at least they made a telephonic conversation to U.P CM or Home Minister”, it asserted.

It further questioned how Pravish Chanarn went missing, who killed him and why and added that why the details of how Pravish reached the hospital from the venue of the concert is still unclear.

“Why the Hospital authority and the police did cremated the body of Pravish without even informing their parents / relations, why they are in such a hurry when there is a special cell for Northeast in Delhi and NCR and why they did not inform the Nodal Officer of Northeast Cell”, said the release.

There is a great loophole inside the investigation process and it smells a rat is within the police and hospital authorities, it added.

“We demand the officials, each and every one who is involved in this case and also demands the strictest punishment to be delivered to the murderers, only the mere suspension of some Police personals will not do and no one should go scott-free and no one should try to cover up the evidences”, it said.

It further said that leaders of the state should not remain silent in this crucial time of sorrows when their own citizens lost their life.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 22

Manipur Peoples Party is in grip of a crisis today after the party’s interim president, O. Jugindro suspended its working president, S.K. Maimon and locked up his room at the party office, Polo ground, Imphal.

Heated exchanges took place between the supporters of the interim president and working president from 11.30 am and a half hour later police came and controlled the situation.

Regarding locking of the working president’s room, Maimon lodged a complaint with the City police station. The complaint claimed that his personal and office documents were not found on his office table when observed from the window of his office, which was already locked.

Earlier on September 20 the working president has issued an order expelling the interim president from the party for alleged embezzlement of party fund and for involving in alleged anti-party activities.

On the other hand on the same day the interim president also issued an order suspending Maimon from the part for six years for involving in alleged anti-party activities.

Speaking to media persons, Maimon today said that as there is no permanent president of the party the central committee had appointed O. Jugindro as interim president, himself and M. Amutombi, both as working presidents.

As Jugindro is not the full time president he does not have the power to suspend him but a working president has the power to suspend an interim president, he claimed.

On the other hand Jugindro said that an interim president has the full power of a president but the working president does not have the same power.

Jugindro said that he can suspend the working president by exercising powers under article no. 28 of the party’s constitution but working president cannot take decisions without consulting him.

Sources said in view of the conflict between the interim president and the working president the central committee of the party is likely meet tomorrow at the party office to discuss the development.

IMPHAL |  Sept 22

 Keeping in view the seriousness of fatal accidents in many cases, the Transport Department, Government of Manipur initiated a drive of checking fake / duplicate licenses being used by the drivers in the State in April this year and verified 1852 Licenses. The drive was in close coordination with the Traffic Police. 

Realizing the magnitude of the matter, a special cell has also been created in the Directorate of Transport under the Asst. Director of Transport, on 5th June 2017. Earlier 1773 Licenses have been submitted for verification and 400 fake licenses have been detected. FIRs are being lodged by the DTOs concerned and documents have been submitted to SP (CID/CB) for necessary enquiry.

The Department is also concerned with the frequent complaints received from the public regarding unscrupulous and corrupt practices by its officials. Under the aegis of the Anti-Corruption Cell, action has been initiated against an ASI (Taxation), DTO/Bishnupur and the concerned official has been placed under suspension.

Another achievement of the Department is the launching of VAHAN and SARATHI at DTO/ Ukhrul by the Chief Minster, Shri N. Biren Singh on the11th April 2017. This will facilitate issue for SMART Cards for registration of Vehicles and issue of Driving Licenses for the citizens of Ukhrul District.

It is worth to recall that the Department of Transport under the mandate of the present Government has taken up the initiative of reviving the public transport system. After a gap of 15 years, the Department launched the public transport system christened as MANIPUR STATE TRANSPORT on 25.6.17.

It is conceived with the objective of providing an economical, efficient, sustainable, affordable and well-coordinated transport system for the State of Manipur. This will also bridge the gap between the demand for good public transport system and its poor supply by the private transport operators that is further compounded by the lack of standard and reliability in the private transport system and at the same time, it breeds unhealthy competition and factional disputes.

It is proposed that the fleet size will be around 150 buses (mixed) to be achieved in three phases. Initially, the Government has approved five buses (Marco-Polo) for procurement. Initially, combined with the 10 (ten) Semi Low Floored (SLF) buses, the fleet size will be 15 buses (mixed). These buses will be used for inter-district and city bus services. The routes being covered are—- City-Bus Service from ISBT and MST Complex, Moirangkhom in clockwise and counter clockwise direction passing through the Ima Market complex; for Imphal- Thobal- Yairipok, SLF; Imphal- Moirang;  Imphal- Mayailambi-Kakching; Imphal-Noney; Imphal- Moreh and Imphal- Pherzawl will operate from MST, Complex Moirangkhom.

The fares for the city bus are charging at a flat rate of Rs. 10, whereas, for the inter-district buses, rate of Rs.1 per Km for valley section of the route and Rs. 1.20 for the hill section of the route is being charged. The initial response has been very positive and steps for consolidating the system by increasing the no. of routes and fleet size are being taken up.

The Transport Department is also appraised and conscious of the various concerns regarding road safety and awareness. Keeping the need for public safety and awareness, signages indicating intersection points, cross roads, speed limit, pedestrian crossing and school ahead have also been affixed.

IMPHAL | Sept 22

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, the vice-chairman of NITI Aayog visited Manipur today and had a high level meeting with chief minister N. Biren Singh.

Ministers, deputy chairman of the State Planning Board, chief secretary, other high ranking officials and heads of different central government institutes attended the meeting. This was Dr Kumar’s first visit to any state since he assumed charge as the vice-chairman of NITI Aayog on September 1.

During the meeting, the state government sought attention and intervention from NITI Aayog for speedy socio-economic development of the state.

Biren said that the new government is trying hard to accelerate development in the state in order to match with the progress of other states. He expressed hope that NITI Aayog would extend all possible assistance to the state government.

The developmental challenges, opportunities and several proposals of the state were presented to the visiting vice-chairman through a PowerPoint presentation.

The state government highlighted the urgency of provision of piped water supply to people in rural and urban areas, road connectivity to districts and block headquarters. With 4% coverage of state population in term of household water supply, the NITI Aayog vice-chairman agreed to support state government’s proposal for a major project in this area for external funding.

Other proposals mentioned were introduction of ropeway from Ukhrul to Shirui, from Marjing Hill to Langol and Chaoba Ching to Sendra, upgradation of national highways, construction of flyover and underpasses for Imphal city and surrounding areas, circular railways for connecting district headquarters and development programme in hill areas.

The state government drew Dr. Rajiv Kumar’s attention to the poor condition of NH-37 and NH-2 and urged him to request the ministry of road transport and highways to grant adequate maintenance funds in time.

The state government also proposed that the Barauni-Guwahati gas pipeline be extended up to Imphal along the main axis or its spur. An alternative pipeline to transport surplus natural gas from Tripura to Imphal may also be considered, the state government suggested.

Introduction of air ambulance service in the state was a felt need and urgent steps in this regard were requested.

Speaking at the meeting, the vice-chairman emphasised on formulating a better accountability mechanism regarding usage of funds.

The vice-chairman said that NITI Aayog intends to assist the states in bringing development through ideas, co-ordination and contacts sharing.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar observed that the government needs to create a condition to attract more and more private investments.

He stressed the need of better co-ordination between the state planning departments and NITI-Aayog to carry forward the proposals.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 22

State government is going to effectively implement the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 by putting a total ban on sale, purchase and use of agricultural land for commercial purposes, announced chief minister N. Biren Singh.

The chief minister stated this evening during a press conference convened at CM’s secretariat conference hall.

He further informed that anyone found violating the ban would be penalized as per the provisions of the Act.

According to Biren, the move was initiated by the state government in order to uphold the primary objective of the Act to conserve wetland and agriculture land, which came into force on September 10, 2014.

A Cabinet meeting was held with regards to the subject, he said, wherein the gradual diminishing of agricultural land was discussed deliberately.

As per the decision of the Cabinet an order was passed on September 19 and reaffirming to effectively implement the Conservation Act 2014, he asserted.

The chief minister also informed that a data bank would be set up to keep the records of paddy lands by conducting proper identification of the status of the existing paddy land through digitized cadastral maps on the basis of satellite images at the time of the commencement of the Act (in September 10, 2014).

Although no reclamation of paddy land shall take place without the reference to the data-bank,  the Act allows conversion or reclamation of paddy land of an area measuring 0.10 acre in urban area and 0.20 in rural area for construction of residential building for the owner of the paddy land for his own purpose if he has none, he further illuminated.

Spelling out the steps taken along the border in the wake of the Rongiyas refugees crisis, chief minister Biren said all possible measure are set into motion to check influx of illegal immigrant.

Terming Assam-Jiribam, as the most vulnerable point citing the influx of Bangladeshi immigrant, he said additional force has been stationed at the border.

It has been informed that besides the existing check post, another police check post will be set up at Jiribam Mukh and also strengthened the foreigner check post.

Moreover, house to house drive have been started by the Jiribam police with help of the paramilitary forces since September 13, added Biren.

In the drive, he claimed that 1,211 houses were covered wherein 265 suspicious immigrant have been rounded up and 107 have been pushed back.

Similarly, drive against illegal immigrant have been strengthen at Indo-Myanmar border at Moreh by deputing officers, he said.

Biren further said that that the Indo-Myanmar border at Beihang in Churachandpur district would be developed as second corridor in the wake of the Act East Policy adding that a permanent police station would soon be established at Beihang.

Newmai News Network

AIZAWL | SEP 22

The lone woman legislator in Mizoram Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu has become Mizoram’s first woman minister since the 1987 state assembly elections, after she was inducted to Lal Thanhawla’s cabinet on Friday .

Chawngthu was sworn in as a minister by Mizoram governor Lt. Gen. Nirbhay Sharma (Rtd) during a searing-in-ceremony held at Raj Bhavan. She is the second woman in Mizoram to hold ministerial post after Lalhlimpuii Hmar, who was made a minister in 1987.

Chawngthu will hold the rank of Minister of State in Lal Thanhawla’s government.

With Chawngthu, Mizoram now has 12 ministers.

 Earlier on September 20, senior Congress leader and Aizawl South III assembly constituency MLA, K S Thanga was sworn in as minister in the Congress government.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Mizoram Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) president, Chawngthu joined the Congress party and won the Hrangturzo by-poll with a margin of 2503 votes to retain the seat for the ruling Congress in May 2014 as Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla vacated the seat after winning it along with Serchhip in 2013 assembly polls.

Chawngthu, better known as O.P-i, is the daughter of senior Congress leader and former minister C Chawngkunga and she is presently the chairperson of Mizoram state commission for women. In Mizoram’s political history, Chawngthu became the fourth woman legislator.

Speaking to media persons after the swearing-in-ceremony today, Chawngthu said she would try her best for the welfare of the women.

She then thanked Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla for his concern for the empowerment of women and inducting a woman minister in his government after a gap of about 30 years.