Manipur News

IMPHAL | Aug 23

The 12 artistes’ team of the Rhythms of Manipur has returned home on August 22 after successful presentation of folk music performance at Vientiane the capital of Loas People’s Democratic Republic.

A release said the team led by Rajkumar Sanatomba a panel artiste of the Festival of India Abroad Cell of the Ministry of Culture and founder artiste of the Rhythms of Manipur gave about one and half hour music performance at the Don Chan Palace Hotel on August 20 evening.

The event was organised by the embassy of India, Vientiane in connection with the 70th anniversary of India’s Independence and also to mark the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations, it said.

The performance was witnessed by one deputy minister of the Laos, People’s Democratic Republic, Ravi Shankar Aisola, ambassador, embassy of India, diplomatic Staff of the embassy of India, Indian community and local audience.

All present at the event enjoyed at the fine music performance and expressed their desire to host the event again. The tour was sponsored by ministry of Culture, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 23

The governor of Manipur, Najma Heptulla expressed heartfelt condolences on the sudden demise of former chief minister and Parliamentarian, Rishang Keishing yesterday.

In her message, she said, “He dedicated his whole life for the development of the people of the state. He served the State and the person tirelessly throughout his life and his passing away is an irreparable loss which is difficult to fill up.” 

It further said that she shared the loss and sorrow and prayed that family members and the people of Manipur may have the strength to bear his loss and for his soul to rest in peace.

IMPHAL | Aug 23

The governor of Odisha, S.C. Jamir has expressed heartfelt condolence on the sudden demise of former chief minister and Parliamentarian, Rishang Keishing yesterday.

In his message, he said, “Having imprisoned during the student days for participating in country’s freedom struggle and later drawn to politics from teaching profession Keishing has the distinction of not only being the member of the first Lok Sabha from Manipur but also represented the state in both Houses of Parliament for the longest period in the history of the state”.  “As the chief minister of Manipur, he served the state with great passion and commitment. Keshing, the tallest figure in North East has vast contribution to the development of North East in general and Manipur in particular”, it said.

It further said, “Besides being a leader of great stature he had been personally been an excellent sportsman and specialised in Javelin throw. Both of us shared intimate relation both in personal as well as political life”.

“Late Keishing will always be remembered for his value based politics and as a popular leader of the masses. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the state and a great personal loss to me”, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 23

Consumer affairs, food and public distribution and revenue minister Karam Shyam today extended his condolence over the demise of former chief minister and parliamentarian Rishang Keishing.

Calling the demise of Keishing as a big loss to the state, Karam Shyam said that Manipur politics has lost a bright star.

Shyam met the family members of late Rishang Keishing at the residence of the late leader at Mantripukhri, Imphal West and offered his deepest condolence. The minister said, “We have lost an ideal leader and a great son of Manipur who dedicated his entire life for the welfare of the state and the people. Keishing was a source of inspiration for the entire state, particularly to the youth”.

 He also said Keishing was a fine human being who believed in humanity and social harmony. His public service that took a span of almost 70 years which include being the member of India’s first Parliament will be hard to replicate, he added.

Former minister, chairman, Bharat Sevak Samaj Manipur state branch, Haobijam Kangjamba Singh, acknowledging his noble deeds in a release, said that the departed leader was once arrested during the massive protest, which was held in demand for the statehood of Manipur, and was put to Manipur jail.

He was later transferred to Nagao Special Jail Assam, it said adding Keishing was very energetic and never touched alcohol or any other form of intoxicants during his lifetime. The branch organised a condolence meeting at 3 pm today at the conference hall of Hotel Mass where his life works were discussed, it further said. A two minute silence was observed in prayer for the peace of the departed, it added.    

The staff of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal has also condoled the demise of the former CM. A condolence meeting was held today at the administration block of the institute under the chairmanship of Prof. H. Nabachandra, director in-charge.

The All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union (AMGSU) has deeply condoled on the sudden demise of the former chief minister of Manipur, Rishang Keishing.

A release said, AMGSU has observed one minute silence at its office at Kanglatongbi, as a mark of respect to the departed soul. President of AMGSU, L.B. Adhikari stated that Manipur has lost an eminent personality and a great leader who had always worked for the development and welfare of the state during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Committee of Recognised Private Schools expressed today deep condolences over the sudden demise of the former chief minister of Manipur, Rishang Keishing.

Addressing the departed as a true born leader of Manipur, the committee acknowledged him as a patriot who loved his people dearly without keeping prejudices to any particular section of the society, said a release. The committee shares the grief of the bereaved family, it said.

Tarahei Youth Development Organisation (TYDO) have also organised a condolence meeting over the loss. At the meeting, his life works and noble deeds were acknowledged and lamented over the fact the huge hole he had left will be never be filled by the people, said a release. The organisation pray for the peace of the departed soul and shares the grief of the bereaved family, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 23

The Imphal West police team lead by additional superintendent of police (ops) Priyadarshini Laisram and Kakwa police OC, N. Ingocha today seized tobacco products worth around Rs. 1.5 crores from a godown located at Mongsangei, Imphal West while trying to unload from a truck this evening at around 7.15 pm.

According to source the godown was owned by one Akoijam Ibomcha (48) of Mongsangei and the owner of the seized products and the truck was identified as one Krishna who is the proprietor of Krishna Trading and Transport Agencies presently residing at Telipati, Imphal East and originally from Bihar.

Police said that the seized items will be handed over to Food and Safety department, Imphal West by tomorrow for laboratory testing.

A case has been registered at the Kakwa police station regarding the matter to take up the necessary formalities.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |AUG 23

Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang said that “solution should come at the earliest possible date so that every Naga can live with permanent peace in our land.” The chief minister said this while interacting with the Naga Hoho today in Kohima.

“There is no problem that cannot be solved and we must seek public opinions and suggestions to move ahead taking the voice of all stakeholders on board” stated, TR Zeliang interacting with a seven Member delegation of the Naga Hoho led by its president Chuba Ozukum today.

The delegation had called on the chief minister at his official chamber, Nagaland Civil Secretariat to congratulate him on taking over the State as the new chief minister and to initiate the process of uniting Naga Civil bodies under one umbrella, according to the CM’s office.

While maintaining that all Naga outfits must be taken on board before a final solution to the protracted Naga problem was arrived at, Tr Zeliang said that Naga peace process must not be taken up simply for political mileage in the upcoming 2018 elections, but must be based on sincerity in letter and in spirit.

Expressing his desire for early solution the CM said that “solution should come at the earliest possible date so that every Naga can live with permanent peace in our land.”

Earlier in the day, Konyak Union led by its president, Manlip Konyak and general secretary Honang M. Konyak accompanied by minister for rural development, EE Panteang called on the CM and congratulated him on behalf of the Konyak community for taking over the affairs of the State by presenting him the Konyak ‘Nyam’, a traditional drum made of brass.

The delegation appraised before the chief minister for emergency attention on some problems that had occurred due to unprecedented rain and flood in their area.

State leaders throng Keishing’s Mantripukhri residence

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 23

“My father’s last wish on his deathbed was for unity among all the people of the state cutting across religion and ethnic affiliations,” said Victor Keishing, son of Rishang Keishing, the political patriarch who passed away yesterday.

 Victor was speaking to the media at his Mantripukhri residence. Political leaders, friends and relatives of the Keishing family turned in large numbers today to share the grief of the bereaved family.

Former chief minister, O. Ibobi, former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam and former speaker, Th. Lokeshwar, MLAs of the Opposition came to pay tribute to the departed leader.

Ibobi speaking to the media said that the demise of Rishang is not only a big loss for the state but also a big loss for the country. There will be a big vacuum in the field of politics following his demise, he added.

He added it is a bigger loss for the Congress as he was the guiding light to the party, he said, adding Rishang always wanted the people of the state to be united and live together as one regardless which community and religion they belonged to.

The former chief minister also said that even on his deathbed he expressed his concern for the welfare of the state. “No one in the world can replace him in Manipur politics”, he added.

Former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam said that losing of a person who had enormous capacity of serving the public is a huge loss not only for the state but also for the country.

“He is the role model for symbol of unity as his philosophy and ideology was to bring unity, love and brotherhood among the different communities,” Gaikhangam added.

The former deputy chief minister prayed that the people of the state follow his ideology of unity and brotherhood.

Among others, Hayainu, wife of chief minister, N. Biren Singh, deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar, MAHUD minister, Karam Shyam , education minister, Th. Radheshyam, tribal and hill area minister, N. Kayisii, agriculture minister, V. Hankhalian along with other members of the ruling party were also seen coming to pay tribute.

Rishang Keishing’s funeral will be held on Friday at his birth place, Bungpa Khunou village, Kamjong district.

Family members informed that tomorrow morning Rishang’s body will be taken to Manipur Congress Bhawan, B.T. Road and later to Manipur Baptist Church (MBC), Imphal. And from MBC his body will be directly taken to Kamjong district.  

A release of the GAD of the state government informed that the state funeral service of the late leader will be held on August 23, at the MBC Church, 10:30 in the morning.

Rishang died yesterday due to multiple organ failure and sepsis at 8.15 pm after fighting for his life for a month in RIMS intensive care unit.

IMPHAL| Aug 22

Nagaland chief minister, TR Zeliang has extended his condolence for Rishang Keishing and called the departed leader as one of the most dynamic and veteran statesmen from the northeast India.

A release said, TR Zeliang has also called the former chief minister of Manipur as a colleague, a friend and a brother. He expressed that he was deeply pained to learn about the demise of one of India’s oldest parliamentarian on August 22 at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.  

‘I, along with my family, offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers during this time of pain and grief and pray that Almighty God bestows unending comfort and solace to bear the loss of this great leader. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace’, said the Nagaland chief minister in his condolence message.

T.R. Zeliang said, ‘Rishang Keishing was a colleague, a friend, a brother and a senior leader whom I regard as one of the most dynamic and veteran statesmen from the Northeast India’

The Nagaland CM has also called Rishang Keishing as the last surviving member of India’s first post-1947 Parliament.