Month: September 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Education, labour and employment minister Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said that the attitude to help and support the downtrodden and poor of their need makes one a very rich human, for the wealthiest usually fails to provide the needy with their needs.

He said that the world needs such people of great wisdom and honesty to act and bring a positive change towards the society. The minister was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the first state level annual conference of bharat vikas parishad (BVP), Manipur held at Ibotonsana Girls Higher Secondary School, Imphal organised by BVP Manipur state.

He said that the parishad has been there extending all possible help and support they could to the people. He lauds for the aid and assistance extended by the BVP Manipur serving the society with all their hearts and soul in many a time of natural calamities in the state.

Radheshyam said that to enable to carry out such task connecting, contacting and communicating the people is very important.  He points out that the government also has a motto of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas in order to bring an inclusive growth to one and all by facilitating with equality towards development, upliftment and progress.

He said progress of a country can only be achieved when everyone has the same equality and equity in every field of life.

National additional secretary general North East BVP Swadesh Ranjan Goswami said that the Parishad was to organise the elite, intellectuals and the well-to-do citizens and to motivate them to serve our poor, disabled, illiterate and ignorant, brethren of the country to advance together towards the development and growth of the country in all fields of human endeavour.

In the inaugural the induction of new members was also held. A souvenir Sampark – Contact and Communication was released by the dignitaries.

The ceremony was attended by regional patron BVP, North East Dr. Rajendra Singh, president BVP, Manipur B. Biramangal Sharma and the members of the parishad.

The paridshad was founded in the year 1963 by Lala Hans Raj and Dr. Suraj Prakash motivated and guided by the ideals and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The vision is the development and growth of India – Swasth- Samarth-Sanskarit Bharat.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Senior advocate, Khaidem Mani said that the state government should give strong pressure to the central government to let the CBI investigate the mysterious deaths of students and youths of North East especially from Manipur in the mainland India to give justice to the victims.

Briefing media persons today at his residence at Loklaobung, Imphal, Mani said that the state has witnessed four mysterious deaths and missing of students and youths of the state at the mainland India in the last two months.

Stating that the police investigating officers are not serious enough while investigating matter related with the North East people he said as a result police are not able to arrest the culprits of such crime related with North East people.

Mani claimed that there is a report of missing Taorem Bitoo (32) of Khuyathong since September 13 from Delhi  Masti Park who visited Delhi for treatment of her mother, Jacinta (25) died while she was fighting with bag snatchers at Delhi on August 8 and in the same month Sidarth Moirangthem son of former minister, M. Oken died mysteriously at Delhi.

The senior advocate further claimed that one of the most mysterious deaths was the case of Chanam Pravish where his body was found cremated as unclaimed body by the police of Nagar Noida, UP on September 13 while his family was searching for him since he was missing from September 8 and moreover a missing report was filed to the police station.

Disposing of victim’s body as unclaimed within a short period of time without intimating the family is considered as illegal and such act of negligence have been creating suspicious on possibilities of conspiracy among the law enforcing body, doctors and persons who were involved in the killing of Pravish, he added.  

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Rural development and panchayati raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has stated there is no negligence or delay on the part of the government in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin implementation in the State.

Addressing a press conference today at his official quarter, the minister said there is no delay in the scheme implementation, infact completion of re-verification of the beneficiary list within three months is a big achievement in itself. He said the total number of beneficiaries for 2016-17 is 9740.

Asserting that full transparency will be maintained during implementation of the scheme, the minister explained that beneficiary selection is a time consuming process. He added that a beneficiary list is made according to the Socio Economic Caste Census 2011 from which a priority list is taken which is again verified.

The verification process is almost complete, he said adding that the process will be fully completed by September end. Families left out from the SECC, 2011 can still file an application to the appellate committee and seek for inclusion in next year’s list, he added.

Biswajit said that the target is to complete geo-tagging of all beneficiaries by September 30, 2017 and initiate release of first instalment by October first week and complete 1st instalment fund transfer by second week of October.

Transparency in fund transfer will also be fully maintained, he said explaining that all payment to beneficiaries will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer.

The minister also said that the scheme is a fully government sponsored scheme and that the government has no link up with any private firm for release of fund for the scheme.

The minister stated that the PMAY-Urban is implemented in the municipality areas whereas the PMAY-G is implemented in the rural and hill areas. He continued that the first instalment is to be released at the time of the sanction, second installation after completion of foundation level and third and final instalment after completion of Lintel level.

On offer: Indigenous cuisines, boating on Kangla moat, live music concerts

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 24

The department of municipal administration, housing and urban development (MAHUD) is all set to launch a “Night Plaza” along the Kangla moat from October 2.

Speaking to media persons in this regards at the conference hall of old secretariat, MAHUD minister, Th. Shyamkumar said the idea behind the “Night Plaza” is to give good recreational space to the people which will help improve healthy family life in the city.

He said that this will also encourage extension of business hours in the core area of the city, thereby improving the overall economy of the state.

The plaza, which will stretch from Khoyathong junction to Raj Bhawan junction (eastern half of NH-2) will be opened every Saturday and Sundays from 7 pm to 10 pm without any entry fee. However, the plaza would remain open daily for 10 days during Sangai festival, he said.

Shyamkumar further said the ‘Night Plaza’ stalls will be opened strictly following the guidelines set by the department, appealing to the people to extend their cooperation to make the venture successful.

Additional chief secretary (MAHUD), J. Suresh Babu, informed that traffic along the stretch of the putative plaza will remain closed from 6 to 11pm.

Besides food stalls of various types including indigenous cuisines and boating on the Kangla moat, live concert sand other recreational activities will be arranged for the plaza, he said adding that altogether the department is planning to install 110 stalls (30 general stalls and 80 food stalls).

Moreover, the Suresh Babu said talented people will be provided platforms to showcase their talents without any charge.

In a release the department further elaborated that an organising and management committee has been constituted for overall supervision and coordination of the project. Various departments of the state government have been engaged for successful implementation of the ‘Night Plaza’.

It said MAHUD department will take care of overall coordination and implementation of the project, arrangement and allotment of stalls in the space earmarked by the town planning department and recreational activities, entertainment programmes and live concerts.

Town planning department will be in-charge of prescribing terms and conditions of the stalls, parking, boating, recreational activities. MSPDCL will take care of the decorative lighting of illumination of the venue, it added.

State police department will look into the security and safety of public and deployment of NCC cadets/Scouts & Guides for coordination and guidance. Traffic police will control and manage the traffic.

Drinking water, toilet and waste management will be looked after by the IMC while PDA will be in-charge of street furniture and MMTA/YAS will make arrangements for boating and providing of life jackets, it continued.

It further notified that persons interested in opening stalls can download application forms from website of Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA) http://muda.mn.gov.in. Last day of submitting forms is tomorrow. The stalls will be selected through draw lots to be held on September 27 at 11 am at GM Hall, Imphal.

IMPHAL | Sept 24

A cleanliness campaign was launched by commandant of 143 Bn, CRPF, Lamphelpat, Imphal West, Lal Chand Yadav under aegis of Vikram Sahgal, IGP, M & N Sector, CRPF in association with LAKHSH Pioneer Committee of Naoremthong Khulem leikai, Lamphelpat, Imphal today.

 A release said that commandant 143 Bn, CRPF said it is part of ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ campaign being organised by 143 Bn, CRPF from September 15 to October 2.

It may be noted that the Prime Minister in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ on August 27 had appealed to the nation to focus on cleanliness and create an environment of cleanliness across the country in the spirit of Jan Andolan, it added.

 It further said that the campaign was to mobilize and create awareness on environmental cleanliness in the entire country as well as in Manipur towards the making of a ‘New India’.

 During the Abhiyan, officer and personnel of 143 Bn CRPF will rededicate their efforts for achieving a Swatchh Bharat and contribute by undertaking cleanliness drives in and around the village premises, it said.

The campaign will includes arrangement of dustbins at prominent places for segregating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, discarding of old junks, cleaning of garbage, cleaning of pond and fogging of anti-malaria chemical in the village covering all houses, it added.

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) organised a public convention for Meitei/Meetei Scheduled Tribe status today at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Sanglen, Palace Compound.

The convention was attended by president of STDCM, Yumnam Muhindro, working president of STDCM, M. Naodalenkhomba and general secretary of STDCM, L. Lokendra Singh as presidium members.

After intense discussion the meeting resolved that state government should give recommendation to the central government to include Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe list within October 20.

It also resolved that if the state government fails to approach the central government for the recommendation within the deadline, intense agitation will be launched.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 24

(O) Geeta, wife of late N. Gogobi of Kangjabi Meinam Leikai, appealed to the authority concerned to support her and his son, M. Sone alias Agu (17) in demanding her son’s rightful land.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Geeta said that it has been 15 years since her husband passed away and she along with her only son stayed at her parental house at Moirang after seven years after her husband passed away.

They stayed at her parental house as they are unable to bear the harassment given to them by her in-laws, she added.

One year after staying at her parental house she was married to Thiyam Surkumar of Uripok Achom Leikai and they stayed at Surkumar’s house till today, continued Geeta.

She added that recently when she and her son went to claim the rightful land of her son, family members of her late husband were not ready to give even a single inch of land to her son.

Geeta said she does not have the right to claim for land but her son has the full right to get his late father’s share of the land.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Sept 24

A man died on the spot today when he was hit by a bus while he was coming from Kakching to Pallel in a Royal Enfield motorcycle.

The accident occurred at Nungourok, under Pallel Police Station, Chandel district at around 4 pm. According to the driving license, the deceased has been identified as Nungchim Angsha Moyon (33), son of Ninghen Moyon and the bus has a registration number MN-01 2099.

Police registered a case regarding the incident and the body of the deceased has been taken to JNIMS.

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Naga Chiefs Association and Kuki Chiefs Association of Chandel district have called 48 hour bandh in Chandel district from tomorrow midnight till the midnight of September 27 in protest against the alleged misappropriation of MGNREGS wages 2016-17 first phase by the state government.

A statement of the Naga Chief Association Chandel said that the decision was taken during a meeting held on September 22 at Zion Village Authority office, Chandel by members of Naga Chief Association Chandel, Kuki Chiefs Association Chandel and job card holders of Chandel as the government has not taken any concrete decision on the matter despite the memorandum submitted to the chief minister, N. Biren through the deputy commissioner, Chandel on September 14.

It further said that the association will stage a sit-in- protest on the same day and added that electricity, PHED, medical, religious service, military force and schools will be exempted.

From Our Correspondent

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Instilling a sense of patroitism and healthy society in the nation building process, the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) Manipur has yet again completed a successful run with a theme of “Run for Your Nation” with its 11th Mega Marathon Manipur, a half marathon, today.

Crisscrossing among important routes of Imphal and Greater Imphal areas, more than two thousand runners including professionals and long distnace runners took part in the mega event.

Though the event was supposed to be flagged off by YAS Minister Letpao Haokip, he failed to show up for the ocassion. However, ILP crusader Kh. Ratan Singh did the honour.

Later the medal ceremony of the athletes was graced by forest and environment minister, Th. Shyamkumar Singh who greeted the top runners with medals, which was categorised as open men and women.

In the women section, N. Chaoba Devi from Luwangsangbam got the top honour with a timing of 1 hour 36 minutes and 29 seconds while K. Bebicha of MPSC got the second spot with 1 hour 43 minutes and 11 seconds and Ajima from Lillong came third with 1 hour 44 minutes and 41 seconds to share a complimentary cash award of Rs 40,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.

The other runners filling up till the fifteen spot are S. Rebika, Grace Yumnam, H. Bhumeshowri, Ksh. Romika, L. Chaoba Devi, N. Sunita, S. Sonia, S. Romi, M. Ranjana, W. Delena, A. Ranisana and H. Chaoba had to content with Rs 3000 each with certificates.

In the men’s category, L. Ranjan Singh of Army Sports Institute, Pune took the first place with a timing of 1 hour 3 minutes and 46 seconds while Samong Raman of Phalu Village, Ukhrul won the second spot with 1 hour 14 minutes and 6 seconds and Kh. Romajit of Khundrakpam fetched the third spot with 1 hour 14 minutes and 26 seconds, earning the same amount as their women counterparts.

1. Ojit, Md. Amir Khan, N. Bijesh, Ksh. Herojit, Md. Abid Ahmed, N. Tokiyo, Md. Sadique, Kh. Manjit, N. Nanao, Ngachanso Chamroy, S. Yaiphaba and Md. Jahid finished among the top fifteen.

JIRIBAM | Sept 24

The 62nd Wildlife Week was observed today at the auditorium of Jiribam Higher Secondary School hall, organised by divisional forest officer cum district wildlife warden, Jiribam Forest Division.

In connection with the observance, a spot painting competition was organised for students from Class V to VIII on the theme ‘Natural Park in Jiribam’ or ‘An Orchidarium in Jiribam’, along with an article writing competition for students from Class IX to XII on the topic ‘Wildlife in Jiribam and role of students in conserving it’.

 The competitions were participated by students of various government and private schools, 46 students in spot painting and 39 students in article writing competitions.

The DFO of Jiribam Forest Division, Ch. Ibomcha Singh said that the objective of organising the competitions is to bring awareness to the students about the climatic changes and gradual loss of wildlife from the environment.

The observance was attended by honorary wildlife warden, H. Rajan Singh and other staffs of Jiribam Forest Division.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 24

Namthanjang Rongmei Village Authority (NRVA) today denied the alleged meeting between Rongmei Naga Council Manipur, Noney and Namthanjang villagers at Hotel Imphal on September 9 was false and said that none of the villagers were present at the meeting.

One of the members of NRVA, K. Thangonglung told reporters at Manipur Press Club that none of the Namthanjang villagers attended the meeting happened at Hotel Imphal in the presence of Adim Pamei, vice-chairperson of State Disaster Management Authority, Johnson Meitei, SDO Kangchup-Geljang and head clerk of Kangchup-Geljang.

Thangonglung alleged that Kahodin Kamei, area organiser of RNCM has no authority to report anything with regard to the meeting which was held at Khonglong village before the said meeting at Hotel Imphal. He added that the issues involved are different and that none of the villagers also sent a letter to the SDO.

It may be mentioned that Namthanjang village had a standoff with two of their former village headmen in 2016 as they were allegedly found to have misused MGNREGA funds of around Rs. 43 lakhs and then escaped the village. They were Makudinang Riamei (55 years) and R. Katangnam (85 y), both sons of (L) Thangaolung Riamei. They also had a case of allgedly selling village lands of Khaima Lamjang for only Rs.30,000 without the permission of the other village authorities.

A negotiation could not be brought till now even after the intervention of Adim Pamei, vice-chairperson of State Disaster Management Authority, and the recent negotiation that happened at Hotel Imphal was condemned by the Namthanjang villagers.

The Namthanjang Rongmei village, Kangpokpi district, urged the concerned authorities to intervene into the conduct of Kahodin Kamei and to take up necessary actions against him in the interest of justice, he added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 24

A prize distribution for students who excelled in essay and painting competitions organised by Manipur Pollution Control Board, Lamphelpat on August 3, was held today State Guest House, Sanjengthong.

The prize distribution function is also a reception ceremony of the selected ten participants who went to participate in Gauhati’s Regional conference of National Green Tribunal (NGT) eastern zone bench Kolkatta, on September 9-10.

The state level competition was held under the theme “Waste disposal and management” and was participated by 284 students in essay competition and in painting, 94 students participated from various schools of the state.

Best five students were selected from each competition and were sent to Gauhati. Four participants who went to the North-east level conference bagged awards too.

The prize distribution programme was attended by advocate of NGT Supreme Court Manipur Standing Council, Sapam Bishorjit Meitei and HOD of DM College of Environmental Science, K. Manibhushan as guest of honour.

Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board, Laishram Radhakishore Singh presided over the function. In his speech he highlighted that there was no question of solid waste management 20-25 years ago in the state, everything was recycled naturally. But now the situation has changed, and we should change accordingly, he said.

He continued by saying that Bishnupur is on a plan to make e-waste free zone. 700 eco clubs have been contacted to start spreading awareness about the solid management to cover 161 gram panchayats and ten hill districts to make solid waste management better.

Manibhushan addressing the gathering of students, parents, environmentalists and officials of MPSB said that getting the achievement in state level and other level is not the answer to get back the original charm of nature, but putting into action will.

He said that many initiatives have been taken in the past to ban plastic bags, but can’t be banned till now. “We need to find a way to get organic compost which is cost effective and beneficial to everyone and it has to be now,” he added. He encouraged the students community to take up the initiatives from their family itself.

Head of department (HOD) of Environmental Science, Manipur University, Kh. Raju Singh and environmental science lecturer of Oriental College, R. K. Ibohansana attended the function as jury members.

IMPHAL | Sept 24

The 69 Battalion CRPF, at Mantripukhri today launched cleanliness drive under “Swachhata hi Sewa” under the aegis and leadership of Vikram Sahgal, IGP, Manipur & Nagaland Sector, CRPF.

A statement issued by the CRPF, said all officers and unit personnel including large number of civilians have participated in the campaign.

Dharm Prakash Commandant-69 BnCRPF briefed about its significance and to keep clean Villages, Play grounds & Ponds and its surrounding areas, it said.

He has reportedly administered the pledge on the occasion and emphasised to devote at least 100 hours every year that is two hours every week towards cleanliness and to make at least 100 people to do so and to be aware about it.

All officers, subordinates officers and jawans including many civilians carried out safai abhiyan at  TandanPukhri, Mantripukhri and its surrounding  areas and all companies locationof the Unit to keep the area and its surrounding  neat and clean as a special drive.   This Abhiyan/Special drive will be  continued in future also, it further added.