Author: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said it is time to tap renewable energy as alternate sources of energy at maximum level in view of growing concern about exhausting fossil fuel. He was speaking at the inaugural function of state level painting competition held today at Lamyanba Shanglen in Imphal.

The competition is organised as a part of the observance of World Bio-Fuel Day which is to be held tomorrow.

Deputy chief minister said, as the fossil fuel deposits in the world have been exhausting at a faster rate, now is the time to tap alternate sources of energy mostly renewable energy and bio-fuels to meet the growing demand of energy in the world. He said, bio-fuels have a major role and therefore, attention have to be drawn for all the concerns in the area. Although, there have been adequate sources of alternate energy in the State, tapping it still becomes a question to all.

Observing that, the state has maximum potential to generate renewable energy, deputy chief minister said, adequate solar energy can be generated to sustain its uses as an alternate source of energy. Wind energy can also be generated in large scale, he added.

Joykumar further said, younger generations should also be taught to know the potentials and possibilities to generate renewable energy as an alternate source of energy in the state in view of the exhausting non-renewable energy especially for fossil fuel.

Professor Ph. Ranjit Singh of Central Agricultural University, Imphal said, Manipur is one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the world and it has a huge potential to develop bio-fuels. Non-edible oil producing plants should be grown in the state so that bio-fuel can be developed as an alternate source of energy.

Ministry of petroleum and natural gas in association with National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS) Limited is organising a series of nationwide events to create awareness about non-fossil fuels (Green Fuels) and it aims to bring into focus the various initiatives that the ministry is undertaking in the country in the field of bio energy. A cycle rally will also be organised tomorrow in Imphal.

100 students in category A (VIII-X) and 11 students in category B (XI-XII) participated in the painting competition.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Health minister L. Jayantakumar asked the people to focus and give special provision to children to make a strong nation as they are the future of the society.

He was delivering the chief guest speech during the launching function of National Deworming Day to be started from tomorrow till August 17 at Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School, Keishamthong today.

The minister said that the duties of a government is to make a strong and healthy nation so all the departments give special focus to children in different ways as they are the foundation of making a healthy nation.

Many beneficiaries schemes and package are made available for the children, and it started from the pregnancy of the mother, added Jayantakumar.

Jayantakumar said as a result of environment changes many new disease arise and it becomes very challenging for the health sector to fight against such disease so the minister asked the people give cooperation in fighting against such diseases by following the do and don’t given by the health department.

He said that many doctors and nurses do not want to be posted in hill districts but there are many people in hills who need their help so he asked the doctors and nurses not not hesitate to work in hills districts and appealed to work with dedication.

The president of the function, health parliamentary secretary, S. Subhaschandra appealed to all the parents to make sure to deworm their children to make them healthy.

The function was attended by health services director, K. Lokendro Singh, family welfare director, K. Rajo Singh, health services, additional director, H. Ranjit Singh and education (S) additional director R.K. Tennedy Singh as guests of honour.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 9

To safeguard the deteriorating habitat and environment of Shirui Kashong, the Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) was formed on July 30.

The chairman SKAFLOC, Mayopam Shangh has stated that the body has been formed with a strong concern over the drastic ecological changes in the past 20 years, which has resulted in the extinction of valuable medicinal plants in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong. The survival of Manipur state flower Shirui Lily, state bird Nongyin and state tree Uningthou has now become endangered, he added.

During an interaction with the IFP correspondent, secretary of SKAFLOC, Khamshon Luirei has said that 40 local landowners in Shirui Kashong have come together to protect and preserve the forest area with due consent and knowledge of the Shirui village authority.

The members agreed to stop felling of trees, hunting of animals and check forest fire. They also have decided to prevent other resources from being extracted and promised to enhance the bio-diversity by taking up re-forestation programme in the days to come. The members of the body further appealed to the public to extend support in preserving Shirui Kashong.

Meanwhile, construction of PMGSY road from Shirui to Ngapum Zingsui and Sambu area has caused landslide at numerous places at the abode of Shirui Lily, and the source of water of Kokthi Kongrei and Namra Kong has also been disturbed. Shirui village is the main source of water supply for Ukhrul town and neighbouring villages.

However, due to rampant felling of trees and frequent landslide caused by the construction of PMGSY road at the foothills of Shirui Kashing has led to change in the level of water. Maiharam area which is a habitat and a home to Nongyin and Tragopan birds is also facing problems due to occurrence of frequent landslide.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

The Congress party asked the MAHUD minister to punish those who were involved in holding the controversial Imphal Municipality Corporation auction.

Speaking to media persons today, Congress spokesperson, MLA Kh. Joykishan said that only getting back the actioned vehicles and machineries is not enough the MAHUD department should also punish the officials involved in the auction.

He asked the MAHUD minister to clarify to the public on how the auction process was conducted.

He claimed that he did not get any report on the drainage system in his constituency though the chief minister and the MAHUD minister gave assurances in the House that the report will be given to him as he is the MLA of the constituency.

The spokesperson said that construction of drainage system at Takhelambam Leikai, which was stopped, continued after the councilor of the area inspected the place.

MLA Joykishan asked “why the government allowed the work process to continue without taking any action against the contractor for halting the work? What is the hidden agenda behind, he questioned.

The MLA continued that the Opposition party will support all the good steps taken for the development and welfare of the state but they will not remain silent if the government works only for personal gains.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

An accused in a minor rape case was shot at today by three unknown armed persons on his way back to his house after appearing before the special court of POCSO.

The accused, who was shot is identified as Sandam Bhogen (42) son of Sandam Bheiga of Sairem Khul, Imphal West and the incident took place at around 2 pm at Tera Khamnam Leirak along Sagolband road.

Three rounds were fired at him by the three unknown persons in that area while he was riding a scooter towards his home from Cheirap court, Imphal.

Later he was taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment as he received two bullet injuries on his chest and on his arm and he is in critical condition.

A case has been registered at the Lamphel police station in connection with the attack.

Eyewitness said that the three unknown person came on a scooter and were seating near a cobbler shop for a long time and fled the spot after they shot him.

Eyewitnesses said that the three persons told the locals of that area that he was shot as he was misbehaving to woman, before they left the spot.

Bhogen appeared before the special court POCSO as he was the accused in a minor rape case which occurred on December 3, 2013 at Sairem Khul Mayai Leiak and he is currently on bail.

Today the IO of the case submitted the supplementary charge-sheet and the court has fixed the next case trial on August 22.

Till now 15 persons have deposed as prosecution witnesses.

Earlier on July 28 this year Irom Bobo son of I. Kameshore who was charged with raping his 12 years old niece was shot dead by United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Imphal West.

A released issued by UNLF claiming responsibility for the killing said that the outfit will give extreme punishment to those who commits such crimes against women and children.

Punish rapist

Taniulong (Langka) Students’ Union and Taniulong Welfare Association have urged the government to nab the culprit of the Senapati rape case as soon as possible. It also appealed to all the civil voluntary organisations of the state to support in seeking justice. It further requested the department concerned to give attention to the JAC formed against the crime.

Diphu, president, Taniulong Students’ Union, said that the suspected accused persons of the rape case are intimate friends of the victim. He further added that the victim, who is a bright student of the locality, is currently in a critical condition and her future is uncertain.

The students’ union and the association also decried disclosure of the identity of the victim in some newspapers of the state dated on August 7. Diphu alleged that the release was issued by the police department.

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL |Aug 8

The JAC againstt Anti Trbal Bills (JAC-AATB), in a statement, said that the August 9 tripartite talks of KNO and UPF in New Delhi, the two umbrella bodies of “Kuki armed nationalists”, will determine the “socio-political survival of the Zo people in present Manipur”.

While appealing the “Zo descendants” to set aside a time from 11 am to 12 noon on August 9 as an ‘hour of prayer’, the JAC said it “sincerely appreciated” the forthcoming round of tripartite talks scheduled with the “armed groups belonging to the ethnic Zo people.” 

It reminded that the JAC had signed a MoU with the state government on May 10, 2017 in the presence of a witness from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), government of India. “The government of Manipur in its MoU with the JAC-AATB acknowledged the demand for a separate administration for the indigenous tribal people of Manipur and assured all possible help and cooperation in the tripartite talks with the armed groups of the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Zomi/Mizo) of present Manipur,” said the statement.

“It is our humble plea that every indigenous Zo participate during the hour of prayer with humility and sincere commitment, and visit the nearest church to pray and seek the Lord’s intervention and guidance at this juncture in Zo history,” the statement added.

The JAC appealed to all churches to keep their doors open at this time, and organise mass prayers to coincide with the hour of prayer if possible. “Establishments and institutions are also requested to kindly organise prayer meetings at their conveniences, while those working  in farms, construction sites, home-based businesses  and various other forms of livelihood are also requested to kindly set aside time for prayer to coincide with the hour of prayer,” it added.

“It is our sincere hope and prayer that a positive amicable solution is reached through the political talks, and that each and every Zo descendant extends every possible co-operation for the success of the dialogue,” the statement maintained.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

A gold smuggler carrying 25 gold bars weighing approximately 4.160 kgs worth about Rs 1.2 crores was apprehended yesterday by 12 Assam Rifles of 26 sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) at Khudengthabi, Tengnoupal. 

A release said at around 8:15 am, a Maruti van was stopped at the vehicle check post of Khudengthabi for checking. During checking, suspicious package was found with 25 gold bars.

The driver of the van, revealed that he was transporting gold from Moreh to Imphal. He has been identified as Raju Muniyandi (45) son of R Muniyandi of Moreh Ward No 1, Tengnoupal district. Raju along with the recovered item was handed over to custom authorities of Moreh, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West today remanded the four accused persons who were arrested in connection with the Oinam Sawombung hooch tragedy, to judicial custody for 15 days.

Two of the accused mother and son identified as Bina Kamei (45) and Apu Kamei were the manufacturer of the alleged spurious liquor and the other two accused identified as Elangbam Imo (50) and Ashem Shyamkumar (50) were the vendor owners, which sold the liquor.

The defence counsel of the mother and son submitted bail application before the court.

The additional public prosecutor of the case said before the court that more time will be taken for further investigation of the case and to find the origin of the spurious liquor.

So he said that the accused persons should not be released until the investigation process is finished as the spurious liquor has led to death of five persons. The IO of the case prayed for remanding the four to judicial custody as investigation is in process.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Information and public relation minister, Thongam Biswajit Singh has urged that the existing media houses of the state do their duty well in providing credibility, trust and reliability in news reporting and to correct the government system.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of 1-year diploma course in journalism and mass communication, at DIPR complex, Moirangkhom.

The minister said that the media has a great responsibility in disseminating information as most people refers to newspapers and media houses for credibility and authentification of of news uploaded and found in social media.

The minister acknowledged the importance of media in the state and asserted that it is indeed the fourth pillar of democracy and power should be wisely maintained.

Giving the keynote address, director of IPR, Meghachandra Kongbam said that this is the first full-fledged program introduced by the IPR of the state.

The diploma course which is due to be started on August 10, has 30 students intake and has students enrolled from almost all the districts of the state, he said. The art of writing will be mainly focused so that the students will be fluent in their language construction even if they choose different media line be it radio, television, print, advertising and so on, he further cited.

There will be six different papers including reporting, advertising, different mediums of communication among others. After completing the course, the students will be sent to New Delhi for internship in leading media firms, he added.

Commissioner of IPR, K. Radhakumar Singh and deputy director, Chongtham Noyon Singh attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Th. Shyamkumar, minister MAHUD and forests & environment took serious note of the garbage dumped along the Indian side near the Indo-Myanmar friendship bridge.

Terming it as dangerous for the environment, the minister express fear that if the dumping continues, than in the coming years, the garbage could pollute the river which flows between the two countries and the neighbouring country may complain over the matter.

Speaking to the media Shyamkumar said earlier Moreh was under MAHUD department when it was under one town committee. He said there is a need for a meeting between the MAHUD officials and councillors for the introduction of solid waste management programme. He opined that necessary steps are needed to be taken up to stop pollution of the environment.

He also appreciated volunteers of Worker and Trainer’s Association, Moreh for voluntary cleaning the area.

He said the government will try providing the volunteers a vehicle to collect waste.

Earlier in a visit to Yaingangpokpi Lockhao wildlife sanctuary, Shyamkumar raised serious concern over the increase in number of illegal villages in the area. 

The sanctuary is located along the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district which covers a total area of 184.8 sq kms. Terming it as unfortunate, Shyamkumar said the Haolenphai village has always been a disputed village as it lies in the border.

Speaking to the media the minister said he has spoken with the department officials in Moreh. He opined that enclosing of the sanctuary will further avoid illegal entry of people and installation of cameras would help in keeping records of the wildlife animals.

He also visited integrated check post, which is under construction. He was accompanied by department officials during the visit. The minister is on a two-day visit to the border town.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

The IGNTUSU-RCM has temporarily suspended its stir after coming to a partial agreement with regard to the demands laid down by the student’s body. The agreement was reached following a meeting with the VC of the tribal university with the student leaders.

A joint release signed by president of ATSUM, Vareiyo and IGNTUSU-RCM president, Khazi said a meeting was held today at Classic Grande with the VC, Prof T. V. Kattimani and representatives of ATSUM, KSO and ANSAM.

An assurance letter was given by the VC to solve all pertinent issues and development of the regional campus, and accordingly the student body agreed to temporarily suspends its stir. The VC shall visit the campus by September and the executive council meeting shall be held at the same time as per the letter received by the student body, said the release. 

Further it said temporary hostel accommodations shall be arranged and a committee constituting the student body has been formed in this regards. Advertisement for recruitment of permanent faculties for department of tribal studies and department of sociology and social anthropology shall also be initiated within a month of the issue of this press statement which shall also include recruitment of adequate non-teaching staffs, it added.  

However, the student bodies shall resume without further ado if the authorities concerned fail to deliver on the agreements within one month of this agreement, it added.

 It may be recalled that the student bodies have been demanding: initiation of construction works for hostels and staff quarters, appointment of permanent staffs for the department of sociology and department of social anthropology and department of tribal studies, and direct extension of their status to full contractual until such time as permanent posts are created.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Expressing deep concern over the increasing rate of crime against women in the state, social welfare and cooperation minister, Nemcha Kipgen has asserted that there will be ‘Zero Tolerance’ against such crimes.

She gave assurance to take up all possible steps to deliver justice at the right time without any delay. To bring an end to any forms of violence against women, the minister urged the public for full cooperation in an emergency meeting convened at her residence along with various officials. 

The meeting took serious note of the custodial death of Mutum (o) Indira Devi wife of M. Ibohal Singh of Andro Khuman Leikai who was found dead hanging inside the toilet of the Andro police station earlier this month.

The meeting was attended by Manipur State Commission for Women, chairperson K. Sobita Devi, member of the commission, Ranjita Golmei and Manipur State Social Welfare Board, chairperson, M. Priyomala Devi.

Under the advice of the minister, the team of MSCW and MSSWB had conducted spot enquiries into the death of a homemaker, Sapam (O) Thounaojam Sumila of Utlou Mayai Leikai who was found dead on the 4th of this month after allegedly consuming caustic soda.

The team also took stock over the suspicious death of Bedamani Devi, wife of Th. Hemanta Singh of Koutruk Maning leikai, who was also found dead after she strongly raised disapproval when her husband sent their minor child to get liquor.

Taking into account of all these cases, the minister stated that those involved in all such forms of violence against women will not be spared under any circumstances. She strongly advised the team to take up necessary steps to curtail the increasing rates of crime against women in the state and to look into these matters with grave concern.

It may be mentioned that as per the reports by MSCW since June 2016, domestic violence tops the chart of the case registered in the commission, having registered 18 in numbers (two in the year 2016 and 16 in the year 2017).

The commission has solved 63 cases from the 78 cases registered. 15 cases are in process and 63 cases are disposed. So far, MSCW chairperson K Sobita Devi and her team had conducted a total number of 57 spot enquiries which includes suo moto cases, murder cases, rape cases, etc.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 8

Kangpokpi district wore a deserted look today with the imposition of 24 hours total shutdown over the alleged encroachment of Haraothel land for construction of national sports university. The shutdown was called by civil organisations of the district. 

The otherwise hectic district headquarters and the road along Asian Highway No.1, also known as NH-2 along Imphal-Dimapur road was empty without any vehicles plying and day-today activities coming to a grinding halt.

The total shutdown from 6 am of this morning till 6 am of August 9 was collectively imposed by CVOs Kangpokpi spearheaded by Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills seeking the state government’s attention for amicable solution over the controversial university site.

Unlike the past total shutdown in the district, the impact of the shutdown is being experienced by all walks of life from business sectors to educational institutions, government institutions, completely disrupting the normal life in the district.

Volunteers were seen deployed in two strategic locations at Taphou Kuki and Gamgiphai who strictly manned the highway checking the exempted vehicles. The volunteers send back those vehicles which are outside the purview of the shutdown bearing no authorised permit.

There was minimal attendance recorded in all government institution owing to the shutdown. Similar impact was also witnessed in most of the area from Taphou Kuki to Gamgiphai including Keithelmanbi, Bongmol, Leikop, Sapormeina and Motbung.

No vehicular movement has been witnessed along the National Highway. However, security force including IRB, Assam Rifles personnel were seen deployed along the road monitoring the situation.

While speaking to media persons, KSO president, Thangminlen Kipgen said, “Chief minister, N. Biren Singh once assured us when we met him on hill leaders day to seriously consider the issue and initiate for amicable solution.”

He continued that despite his assurance, the CM when he visited the university site blatantly claimed that there is no dispute and even restated his statement during the recently concluded assembly.

He further said that though disappointed with the insincerity of the chief minister the KSO repeated appealed to solve the issue and had even organised a peaceful sit-in-protest followed by today’s total shutdown to draw his attention but no response has been received.

Therefore, we collectively decided to imposed sustain shutdown from 6 am of August 11 till the state government invites us for negotiation and initiate the process for solving the dispute amicably, he added.

No untoward incident has been reported till filing of this report.

Interestingly, the shutdown has been otherwise enjoyed by children and many other peoples. Some children were seen playing in the potholes water logging along the highway, some playing cricket and others loitering along highway has been witnessed.

Tripartite talks to resume Aug 9

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL |Aug 7

Two days before the third round of the tripartite talks of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) in New Delhi, Kuki civil bodies have urged the two umbrella bodies of “Kuki armed nationalists” to “unequivocally present the Kuki people’s demand for statehood”. 

On August 9, the KNO and UPF will be holding tripartite talks with the government of India and the State government of Manipur in New Delhi.

Amid this development, KNO ‘Negotiator’ Dr Seilen Haokip told this agency tonight that they will stick to their agenda. “We are not demanding anybody’s land. We believe in peaceful co-existence with our neighbours,” said Dr Seilen Haokip.

A 9-member delegation of the KNO headed by ‘Negotiator’ Dr Seilen Haokip will be participating in the tripartite talks. Dr Seilen Haokip also said that KNO ‘Chief Negotiator’ who is also the President of the organization PS Haokip will only participate in the final stage of the dialogues.

Meanwhile, sources from the UPF informed that a 14-member delegation led by its spokesperson Aron Kipgen will be participating in the August 9 tripartite talks.

On Monday, in the run up to the third round of political dialogue between “Kuki armed nationalists” and the government of India, a meeting was held initiated by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex social body of the Kuki people, at Kuki Inn,

“Every Kuki organisation participated in the meeting and jointly resolved that, the political demand of the Kuki people beginning with the memorandum regarding statehood for the Kuki people which the Kuki National Assembly submitted to Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India in 1964, has consistently remained one of Statehood,” the KIM said.

Today’s meeting also resolved that “the same demand was reiterated at the Kuki Nampi Conclave at Haipi from August 28 to August 29, 2015”. The Haipi Declaration for Statehood was further ratified.

 Preceding the Haipi Declaration was the Delhi Declaration adopted on September 2, 2010 in which every existing Kuki revolutionary organization at the time participated, KIM added.

“Therefore, the Kuki Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups are, hereby, re-assured that Kuki people within India always stood for self-determination in the form of a State under the ambit and Union of India, and the same stand reaffirmed today.

 Accordingly we urge the delegation representing the Kuki armed nationalists under SoO with the government of India to unequivocally present the Kuki people’s demand for statehood at the upcoming tripartite meeting scheduled for August 9, at New Delhi. Any departure from this long standing political position of the Kuki people will be deemed a betrayal of Kuki people and their aspiration,” was one of the five resolutions taken today.

“Finally, this year of the Lord 2017 having marked the centennial year of our forefathers’ defence of Kuki territories and freedom against the British colonial incursions in the Kuki Rising of 1917-1919. We urge the Government of India to finally recognize our long standing political demand/our birthright to self-determination by the creation of a State for the Kuki people under the Indian Union,” the fifth resolution said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Th Shyamkumar has instructed meat sellers particularly in Imphal town that they must procure vending license from authority concerned to continue with their business. He also instructed that meat seller must be careful not to hurt religious sentiment and to maintain proper hygiene. 

The minister of MAHUD was speaking to the media at his official residence at Kangla Park. He said Manipur is a multi-ethnic state following different religions; in this regard meat sellers should not hurt the religious sentiments while selling the meat products.

 He said people following different religious faith have been living together harmoniously and we must not hurt sentiments knowingly or unknowingly. “Meats are sold in open in places like Kongba keithel and Hatta, which could inadvertently hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community”, he said. 

Shyamkumar said there is no prohibition in selling meat products, however if they fail to procure license MAHUD will enforce prohibition against the meat sellers. Selling of pork at Muslim area and beef at Hindu area in an awkward manner might create misunderstanding between the communities unnecessarily, he added. 

Further he said there is no ban of selling meats but vendors must sell meat in a proper place by taking licence and the meat should be healthy to be consumed by public, he said. The minister also pointed out that concrete measures will be taken regarding the sale of meat after proper consultation with the chief minister when the latter comes back from Lao.

The minister will soon leave for Moreh for a two-day tour to the border town.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Manipur Pollution Control Board, chairman, MLA, L. Radhakishore has asked the management section of all the hospital including both private and government in the state to follow the rules and criteria given by the pollution control board while disposing bio-medical waste.

He was delivering the presidential speech during a joint preparatory meeting on bio-waste management today at the state guest house, Sanjenthong here today.

If any hospital is found to be not following the rules and criteria given by the pollution control board of disposing the bio-waste, legal action will be taken but against the hospital, warned the MLA.

Radhakishore said that the state has a total of 539 government hospital and 59 private hospitals, so a big quantity of bio-waste is produced every day from these hospitals. If the bio-waste from the hospital are not treated properly it gave a lots of harmful effects to human as well as animals by polluting the environment, he added.

As a step to prevent the pollution arising from bio-waste the chairman asked all the hospital authority to give awareness to all the officials of their respective hospital regarding bio-waste management.

Radhakishore announced that pollution control board will help the hospital management at its best level in managing the bio-waste.

The meeting was attended by RIMS director in charge Dr. H. Nabachandra as chief guest, JNIMS director, Th. Bhimo Singh and RIMS medial superintendent Ch. Arunkumar Singh as guests of honour, respectively and representatives of different hospital.

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh today inaugurated a five days Special National Training Programme on Advancement of Seed Testing at ICAR research complex for NEH region, Manipur centre at Lamphelpat, Imphal.

Speaking at the inaugural function, he said, development of agriculture & horticulture i.e. overall development of primary sector in the State are important to generate self-sustained productivity and revenue resources as well.

He said, although the State has the potential to generate revenue resources in some sectors like, tourism and healthcare, the most important is the development of primary sector. Problems and methodology in terms of agriculture in Manipur are different from that of the mainland, he added.

 Although, the State has adequate rainfall, there is the need to provide proper irrigation facilities so as to enable the farmers to grow crops successfully thereby increasing productivity, he said.

Further Joykumar said, as Northeastern region has a good climatic condition, there has to be certain type of vegetation which are normally suited to the food habits of the people and therefore, those vegetation are to be cultivated in large scale.

On seed testing, he said, with the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge of how seeds are treated and stored, the traditional methods are also need to be imbibed in the process. If so, agricultural productivity will increase and it can play a major role in economic development in the State.

Organising such trainings will help the farming community to inculcate knowledge which will help in agricultural practices, he added.

Additional chief secretary Suhel Akhtar while addressing the gathering said, keeping in view the importance of self-dependency in food consumption in the State, there has to be adequate agricultural and horticultural productions. Government alone cannot provide the necessities and therefore, all the stakeholders should come together and co-operate each other to make it a success, he said.

S.V. Ngachan, director, ICAR research complex for NEH region said, entire Northeastern States except Assam are deficient in seeds. ICAR with the help of States agriculture departments has been trying to enhance seeds production for the last many years, he said, adding seed production campaign has to be started and such training will go a long way to enhance productivity.

Around 50 trainees from within and outside the State are participating in the training programme which is being organised by ICAR, Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre along with National Seed Research and training centre, Varanasi under the sponsorship of ministry of agriculture & farmers welfare and department of agriculture, Manipur.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Aug 7

The functioning of Anti- retroviral therapy (ART) centre, Thoubal is under a cloud of fraudulent practices. It has become a place of corruption where the staff are embezzling funds meant for the patients.

The funds are being stalled and not provided to the PLHIV (People Living with HIV’s) who are presently undertaking ART treatments.

In May 15, 2015, a memorandum was released by Manipur state aids control society regarding the introduction of welfare scheme called “Local conveyance support to PLHIV.” As per the scheme, patients who are taking ART medicines from a local ART centre will receive a sum of Rs. 150 per month from the centre.

Records are found that since the implementation of the scheme, 7 ART centres out of 10 in the state, were provided with the funds for only 3 months and the remaining 3 ART centres i.e RIMS ART centre, Senapati ART centre and Thoubal ART centre have been provided for only 9 months.

As per the order released by the former health commissioner P.K Singh on January 12, the total amount of funds sanctioned for three ART Centres (RIMS, Thoubal and Senapati) have been disbursed on a reduced amount.

The patients have informed that the staffs of ART Thoubal are not giving out the funds properly; as they would frequently give only an amount Rs. 100 by making an excuse that they do not have the change or Rs. 50. The patients’ request to add them up in the fees of next month is denied by the staffs.

Moreover, the patients would not get any fees after travelling from remote distances as the staffs who are handling the money is absent.  While conducting the transactions, the fees which are kept in due are not made up and the money is not handed out in a monthly basis.

As per the guidelines, the patients who are 2 days late from the scheduled date for arriving at the office will be declined from receiving the fees. However, it has been found that staffs are giving out money to some selected patients who are 4 or 10 days late, which is a clear sign of discrimination.

The staffs are also going against the guidelines which mention that the fees must not be provided if the patient is absent and someone else has come to collect them. The staffs are giving out money to relatives and substitutes who came instead of the patients.

The most shocking finding is that patients from the hills are not provided any fees on the excuse that that they do not come under the ‘Criteria.’ When asked about what type of criteria, the staff would not give any proper explanation.

Patients who are bed-ridden in Thoubal district hospital are not given any fees and the records of those who are getting the fees are not entered in the cards, making them run here and there.

Many patients under Thoubal district have no knowledge about the existence of the conveyance support scheme, as the information is not provided to them by the centre. There are cases when staffs of the centre arrived at the homes of some patients and tried to quarrel or humiliate them, even disclosed their status to the public, simply because the patients came to know about the scheme and started enquiring about it.

The illiterate patients, widows, widowers, children who have lost their father or mother, orphans and many other PLHIVs who would like to keep their status confidential have been discriminated by the staff and these patients have requested the authorities concerned to look into the matter and take actions against the centre.

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Social welfare and cooperation minister Nemcha Kipgen highly condemned the recent rape of a minor school girl who was also attacked and attempted to murder somewhere under Senapati district earlier this month.

The minister while expressing her concern said that the utmost priority as of now is to help the victim regain her consciousness, as she is presently unconscious post the incident. As such, on the supervision of the minister, security personnel have been deployed at the hospital room of the minor girl and have instructed the police not to let anyone directly interrogate the matter to the victim until she regains her normal condition.

“Those involved in this heinous crime will not be spared under any circumstances,” said the minister. The minister had also given assurance for extending maximum assistance in getting justice in time for the victim.

Under the supervision of the SW & Coop. minister, a team of Manipur State Commission for Women led by chairperson K. Sobita Devi have visited the hospital to meet the minor girl and to spot enquire the prevailing condition of the victim.

The team who met the officials concerned of the hospital take accounts of the present condition of the victim. The officials stated that medical examination had already been taken by the RIMS forensic department. As per the doctors of the hospital, there is still very little improvement in the girl’s condition therefore she is being observed under intensive care. 

The team also met Senapati S.P. Faumei Gonglin, to discuss the matter. During the meeting, the S.P. said that an FIR had been taken up in connection with the rape of the minor girl and efforts are being made to find the accused involved in this heinous crime.

In an effort to find out those involved, combing operation had been done in suspected areas, the S.P. added. He urged and appealed to the people of the area to extend cooperation in tracing and finding those culprits involved in this inhuman act.

While condemning this incident, K. Sobita asserted that the commission is alert and gathering time-to-time status of the case from the S.P. in this connection.

The minister also lauded the efficient work carried out by the team of state police led by Senapati S.P. so far in this case and is optimistic that the judiciary will deliver justice to the victim and the family at the earliest.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 7

State government has not notified guidelines for the formation of Village Level Child Protection Committees in Manipur. This is violation of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).

State Co-Ordinator Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), S. Bheiga Sharma said during a meeting held today at MACR office located at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba. And delay in formation of formal VLCPCs in the state has resulted with continued child trafficking and unsafe migrations of children in many villages, he charged.

He said the state is badly affected by scores of issues such as armed conflict, HIV/AIDS epidemic, drugs abuse and others which have fractured the socio-economy of the state thereby putting the lives of thousands of children in highly vulnerable situation.

From November 2013 to October 2016, 80 trafficked children of the state were officially repatriated, while 39 child sexual offences (POCSO) cases were produced before nine child welfare centres during December 2015 to October 2016, he added.

Bheiga said as per recorded by MACR 146 children victims of different child rights violation incidents in the state were reported in the newspapers during the period from January 2016 to July 10, 2017. This year from January to July 10, 23 children became victims of different violent actions such as trafficking, sexual abuse, murder and others.

For protection of vulnerable children in the first place setting up of Child Protection Committees in Village, Block and District level has accepted all over the world.

VLCPCs are primarily responsible for creating a child friendly and safe environment for children, in such an environment, the rights and well-being of all children are ensured. They will be responsible for three core responsibilities such as monitoring, reporting and responding to the issue of child protection in the community, Bheiga asserted.

Considering the emerging needs of VLCPC, MACR with support of Cry-Child Right And You, Kolkata, so far 33 informal VLCPCs in four district of the state since last three years. Nevertheless, since social welfare department has not issued notification for the formation of VLCPS.

VLCPC needs wider supports from NGOs, Corporate bodies and international agencies like UNICEF apart from government. Bheiga demands state government to form VLCPCs in the state for protection of vulnerable children who remained unmapped and unreached.