Day: October 2, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 2

The All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) staged a sit-in protest today at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai community hall, Imphal against the killings of journalists across the country Speaking to media persons, AMWJU advisor, N. Tombiraj claimed that eight journalists were recently killed in the country and particularly in Manipur seven journalists had been killed by unknown persons and Manipur police.

He said that journalists are servicing the public with full dedication and hard work and are impartial in reporting.

The advisor urged the government to reopen the pending cases of the seven state journalists killed.

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Government of Manipur will take appropriate action as soon as a report is received from the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribe (MSCST) as the government of India has sought for socio-economic survey and ethnographic report.

A release issued by home department said, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has demanded the government of Manipur to include ethnic Meitei community in the scheduled tribe (ST) list.

The committee has been demanding for the same since December, 2012 and submitted a memorandum to the state government and the government of India.

However, in reply to the representation of the committee on May 3, 2013, the ministry of tribal affairs had responded that the

Centre had sought for specific recommendations regarding the demand along with latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report by an organisation of repute so that the proposal could be considered.

After being communicated by the central government, the state government has requested the MSCST on September 19 to examine the matter and make appropriate recommendations, said the release.

It said, STDCM is a statutory body formed on March 27, 2014 under Manipur State Commission for the Scheduled Tribes Act, 2014 and the state government constituted the MSCST on August 8, 2016 with S.H. Gonmei as chairman and Simpson Sareo and John H. Pulamte as members.

The action of state government will be taken as per New Delhi’s pursuance for which MSCST would be examining the matter from the relevant angle to conduct the studies and submit a recommendation, it added.

All government initiatives aimed towards human service: CM Biren

IMPHAL | Oct 2

As in other parts of the country, the State government also observed Gandhi Jayanti- the International Day of Non-Violence and National Cleanliness Day today at the Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal.

 State function was graced by Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla along with Chief Minister Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, other cabinet ministers and Chief Secretary. The event is celebrated in commemoration of the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

Addressing the function, Dr. Heptulla said that the state of cleanliness which is maintained during the observance of the national cleanliness day should be made a regular feature – a way of life. It should not be just a normal observance but a wake – up call for all to maintain high standards of cleanliness in our homes, workplace, roads, streets and public place.

She further said that Mahatma Gandhi – the great soul has always emphasized on cleanliness for a healthy living. Healthy people make a healthy nation. The Mahatma believed in the spiritual purification of body, mind and soul, she observed.

She elaborated that a clean environment is essential for good health which will beget a pure mind. The “Swachh Bharat” initiative taken up by the Central Government is aimed towards this end of keeping the environment clean. All should endeavour to make it a preserving campaign for a good health and mind, she added.

She pointed out that the Swachhta Hi Seva, ‘Cleanliness is Service’, a campaign which  started on 15th September ,2017, concluded today on Gandhi Jayanti. The campaign is an initiative of  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi .

In his address, Chief Minister Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh said that people should not only focus on cleaning their surroundings, but also aim to free their minds of negativity, hatred, enmity, communalism and corrupt thoughts.

He urged the people to maintain harmony , solidarity and peaceful co-existence amongst each other. He also said, “Good thoughts will pave the way to a better society and lead to progress and development of the nation.”

The Chief Minister explained that the fortnight long Swachta Hi Seva campaign is a way of realising Gandhiji’s vision for a Clean India.       

The Chief Minister also said that the Imphal Evenings which will be launched this evening aims to bring some entertainment avenues for the people. Explaining that the Imphal Evenings is an initiative to provide family- oriented evening life to the public, he sought support and cooperation from the public for the successful implementation of the initiatives and programs of the new government.

On the present United Naga Council issue, the Chief Minister said the government has already held talks with the organisation and further reaffirmed that the government is committed to finding solutions to all issues through talks.

Asserting that several welfare schemes for the people are in the pipeline, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren also said that his government is mulling to introduce an Old-age Pension Scheme through which beneficiaries will be provided Rs 1500/- per month and a Skill Development Training Course for the differently abled.

Chief Minister Biren also asserted that since his government was formed, several potholes had been mended and repaired however, incessant rain over the past few months has resulted in the washing away of the repaired roads.

As part of the function, the Governor led others in offering floral tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Artistes of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College also presented an opening song at the start of the function. Other high ranking officials also attended the function.

Newmai News Network

SENAPATI | OCT 2

Tripartite talks involving the Central government, the State Government and UNC on district creation issue are likely to be held within this week. UNC sources said that there has been communication among the three parties since last Saturday in this regard.

The Naga body had recently given the 48-hour deadline to the Central government and the State government to make their ‘clear-cut’ positions on the district creation issue talks.  The deadline had already lapsed on Sunday.

According to sources, formal invitation for talks from the ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), government of India, is likely to be extended to UNC and the state government on October 3. Following this development, UNC has decided not to go ahead with its plan of taking up of its course of action.

Meanwhile, UNC president Gaidon Kamei said that the Naga body will wait and see for few more days. Talking to this reporter this evening, Gaidon Kamei said that they are “extremely serious” with the next tripartite talks on the district creation issue. However, he did not elaborate further on his comment.

According to UNC, on September 15 it had asked the ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), government of India, regarding the latter’s position on the next tripartite talks.

It may be recalled tripartite talks on district creation issue was held at Senapati on August 11. The three parties had agreed upon to hold next round of talks in the month of September.

The August 11 talks were brought up to the ‘political level’ with the participation of three cabinet ministers of Manipur, which included agriculture & veterinary minister V. Hangkhanlian, tribal affairs & hills minister, N. Kayisii and education & labour and employment minister, Th Radheshyam.

Apart from the three cabinet ministers, additional chief secretary (Home) J. Suresh Babu and commissioner (Works & IPR) K. Radhakumar Singh had also participated in the talks. A large number of UNC team had participated in the August 11 talks chaired by Satyendra Garg, the joint secretary of the ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), government of India.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 2

The three-day festivity of 2nd Manipur Catholic Women Convention concluded today at Christ Jyoti School, Mantripukhri which was organised by Manipur Catholic Women Organisation (MCWO) under the theme “Women in the family, church and society”.

The closing function was attended by minister of forest and environment, Th. Shyamkumar as the chief guest. In his speech he thanked the sacrifice of Roman Catholics in the education field especially for producing promising students from their educational institutions. Their efforts are significant in the state and many trust Catholic schools, he added.

He mentioned that women have extra energy to bring change in the society and he said today’s programme is a proof. He added women have a special gift of patience, tolerance and will power compared to men.

The minister warned that there is an increasing rate of crimes against women in the state because of use of mobile phones. He urged the women present at the gathering to use it wisely and to also spread the word in their families and their loved ones.

He narrated how he became a Catholic Christian and how he became successful by looking unto God. He urged everyone through his speech today to respect and understand other religions and denominations if one wants peace and harmony to flourish in the state.

He donated Rs. 2 lakhs to the organisers for the betterment of their functioning as women organisation.

The closing function was attended by DD Archbishop – Archdiocese of Imphal, most Rev. Dominic Lumon, secretary general of Catholic Bishops’ Council of India, Rt. Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, and chairman of Justice and Peace Commission Catholic Bishops’ Council of India, Rt. Rev. Gerald Almeida as presidium members.

Catholic women from different parts of the state came to participate in the valedictory function of the convention.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Thousands thronged the ‘Imphal Evenings’ which officially began today marking the beginning of a weekend night life for the first time in the state. Imphalites came out in droves to witness the beginning of this new chapter initiated by the state government.

“It is a sign that the law and order has improved in the state. Now we have a place to unwind in the evenings” said Saleja Athokpam, headmistress of Imphal Public Higher School to Imphal Free Press. She came with her family to dine out at a food-stall.

The Imphal Evenings was inaugurated by chief minister Nongthombaam Biren Singh at 7 pm today at Khuyathong traffic point. He mentioned that the objective of the event is to create a night life in the state and for people to unwind. Waving to the crowd in a motorboat at the Kangla moat the crowd cheered the chief minister after he announced the ‘Evening’ open.

“This avenue provides us to de-stress. This is a recreational activity for the families and should be continued, it is a positive step of the government,” said L. Santosh, assistant professor of Physical Education (MU).

Among the registered 96 food stalls, many did good business and sold out early. M. Memthoi from Sagolband has a stall selling bora (fritters). She said that she could not meet orders for her deep-fried food and sale is tremendous.

“I can’t fry enough boras to meet the orders. I need a bigger frying pan,” Memthoi said as she fried her fritters.

She deposited Rs. 10,000 for the stall and gave Rs. 500 for each month and has booked her stall till March.The stalls did brisk business till 10 pm and most got sold out as thousands queued up for the foods.

Most of the stalls had fast food as chowmein, burgers, fried chicken items etc and indigenous food stalls sold singju, bora, paknam, tharoi etc.

The roads are blocked at Khuyathong traffic point, another at the governor’s gate and the flyover at Uripok. Entry was not allowed from Khwairamband bazaar side but parking facility was given at Khuyathong, Raj Medicity area at north AOC and the other side at Jail road, Nityaipat Chuthek and along the Kangla moat till the Sanajenthong bridge.

Interacting with some police personnel, they mentioned that approximately 30,000 people must be coming at the entrance at the governor’s gate in an hour’s time. The stretch from governor’s road to Khuyathong traffic point was chock-a-block with visitors.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Village chief, social activist, public leaders and youth leaders and public of 20 Sagang ADC constituency have decided to support and cooperate to the movement for creation of Sagang sub-division till the demand is granted by the government.

The decision was taken after a public meeting held today at Sagang Youth Club, Sagang Bazar, Churachandpur district on the topic “demand for creation of Sagang sub-division” organised by social activist and Komrem president, Lalkhomang Serto.

Addressing the crowd Serto said that he submitted a memorandum to the chief minister demanding creation of Sagang sub-division and the chief minister referred it to the Churachandpur deputy commissioner for enquiry. 

He said that creating Sagang sub-division will give administrative convenience to all the people of Sagang ADC as it geographically lies in the middle of all the 61 villages of 20 Sagang ADC constituency.

If the government creates the Samulamlan sub-division it will not be able to give administrative convenience to the villagers as it lies in the corner and moreover, the Samulamlan TD Block which was created 30 years ago is still not functional, added the president.

On the other hand the population of Sagang is 1700, and the population of Samulamlan is only 300 and moreover Sagang has many functioning public institutes, continued Serto.

After his speech was concluded options and views were given by several chiefs and public leaders regarding the demand for creation of Sagang sub-division.

The meeting resolved to form a demand committee for creation of Sagang sub-division and submit a copy of the meeting resolution to the chief minister, N. Biren and also to Churachandpur deputy commissioner to take necessaries action in favour of creating Sagang sub-division.

All the people attended in the meeting strongly condemned the allegation made by Samulamlan TD Block Chiefs’ Association against Serto for submitting memorandum for creation of Sagang sub-division and further asked the chief’s association not to personalise the issue in future as it is done in public interest.

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Among the registered 96 food stalls which range from ‘standard’ food stalls to ‘premium’ food stalls, various eatables ranging from vegetarian to non-vegetarian are sold. The Kabui food stall offers indigenous cuisine like pork and bamboo shoots, snail curry, duck curry etc. The stall also sold canine meat.

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Chief minister N. Biren Singh launched ‘Imphal Evenings’, a weekend plaza on Kanglapat road amidst much fanfare and glittering lights tonight.

A brainchild of Biren Singh, the idea behind the plaza is to give recreational space to the people of the state with an aim to improve healthy family life and introduce the culture of night life.

The plaza will be opened on every Saturday and Sunday from 7 pm to 10 pm without any entry fee on the stretch from Khoyathong junction to Raj Bhawan junction (eastern half of NH-2).

On the first day today, a huge crowd turned up at the plaza and all the stalls had brisk business.

Biren and MAHUD minister Th. Shyamkumar graced the launching function as chief guest and president respectively.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar, PHE minister L. Dikho, and Rajya Sabha MP Ksh. Bhabananda also attended the function as guests of honour.

Biren Singh said the new initiative had been introduced to present an opportunity to the people to spend quality time with their families and friends together.

Manipur is being portrayed as a trouble-torn state and most of the people of other states and countries generally have a wrong notion about Manipur that nobody ventures outside after dark in the state, he added.

As such, the new government tried to show to the world that Manipur is no more a trouble-torn place and it can also have a night life, Biren said.

He also expressed hope that the plaza would be able to give self employment to many unemployed youths.

Seeking suggestions from the public, the chief minister said that the government would put in effort to make the plaza better and more beautiful.

The chief minister added that every type of intoxicant is strictly banned at the plaza.

In his presidential speech Shyamkumar said that the brain behind the plaza is the chief minister.

He sought suggestions from the public to make the plaza better and successful.

The government has earmarked space for 102 stalls at the plaza. However, the government received only 92 applications so far.

On the launching day today, only 56 parties turned up to open stalls.

40 stalls have been reserved for indigenous food items, 25 for fast food items, 15 branded restaurants and 30 for general stalls.

One police booth each at Khoyathong and Raj Bhavan junctions and two booths at Kangla western gate were opened to monitor security and guide the visitors.

For safety measures, there were booths for medical and Manipur fire service personnel. Apart from this, every stall has been instructed to mandatorily keep a fire extinguisher each.

Imphal Municipal Corporation also deputed 30 volunteers at the plaza to assist the visitors, stall owners and police.

Manipur police department deputed 30 plains cloth personnel to assist the crowd and ensure security.

Four points have been reserved for the talented persons who wish to present/showcase their skills at the plaza free of cost.

Mobile toilets are kept at two places for the convenience of the public. On the other hand, 10 bio-toilets have been procured for the plaza.

The food stalls were instructed to sell only fresh and healthy items approved by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) and State Food Safety Authority.

State food safety personnel will regularly monitor the quality of the food items sold at the plaza.

In addition to stalls, boating facility was provided at Kangla moat.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 2

Manipur Architects’ Forum (MAF) today observed World Architecture Day at Singjamei parking community hall, Singjamei Top Leikai.

Speaking to media persons, general secretary of MAF, Imo Haobam said every year the day is been observed on first Monday of October under different themes that suit the situation. Inn view of the issue of global warming this year’s theme is “Climate Change Action”.

He said under people should discuss with architects while constructing houses and other things. People usually consult architects only in the construction of houses. They should also consult about the surroundings for welfare of their neighbours as well as the society.

Architects consider take into account various factors while making a design for building a house or other. While building a house architect mainly chooses the construction materials based on durability, energy consumption, comfortable and low cost, Imo said.

To bring a better society people need to consult architects at the time of construction, he added.

Retired Manipur University registrar and environmentalist, R.K. Ranjan, retired senior architect PWD, L. Mangi Singh, president of MAF, B. Krishnakumar Singh attended the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively including Haobam Sukumar as resource person.

As a part of the programme Sukumar, Tushar, Roshan presented slide shows on “bamboo as sustainable material”, “climate responsive design” and “eco village” respectively.