Manipur News

IMPHAL, Jul 14: The indefinite curfew imposition in Imphal West and Imphal East district from 4 pm of July 8 by orders of District Magistrates of the two districts will be relaxed for 12 hours tomorrow from 5 am to 5 pm.

The curfew was clamped in the districts in view of the tense situation prevailing in the districts following the death of a student in a protest staged demanding enforcement of Inner Line Permit System in the state on July 8.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/curfew-relaxed-for-12-hrs-today/

IMPHAL, July 14: Taking strong exception to the alleged shoot at sight order given by Chief Minister to police to protestors of Yairipok area, who took out rally and burnt effigies of Ministers in support of the 14-hour called by JCILPS today in pursuance of the demand for ILPS implementation in the state, locals of Yairipok area have decided to impose indefinite general strike in the area from today.

The enraged locals have also decided to boycott MLA of Wangkhem Constituency K Meghachandra indefinitely.

A peace rally was taken out by locals of Yairipok area this evening in solidarity to the collective demand for ILPS introduction in the state. During the rally, the protestors were threatened by a team of police led by SDPO Yairipok and OC Yairipok Police Station, saying that they were told by the CM to shoot those who took part in the rally in support of JCILPS.

When the protestors went to meet MLA Meghachandra to enquire about the order, they were prevented from doing so by OC Yairipok PS, who said that the MLA has not given order to meet them.

The rally was taken out by carrying coffin of CM towards Yairipok Bazar. However, they were stopped by police and snatched the coffin from them. There, a heated scuffle broke out between them.

As the protestors mainly from Yairipok Thong Wangma Laimanai, Yairipok Bamol Leikai and Yairipok Bishnunaha refused to retreat, police resorted to firing rubber bullet and mock bomb to disperse them.

In retaliation, the irate protestors pelted stones towards the police. Later, they marched towards the residence of MLA Meghachandra but they were stopped near Yairipok Bishnunaha Pukhri Achouba Mapal.

When they resisted retreating, police fired tear gas shell, rubber bullet and mock bomb in their bid to disperse them. Fumed at the police action, the protestors pelted stones with some using catapults.

The face-off between the protestors and police lasted till 5.30 pm. However, no one was injured in the confrontation.

Later, additional police forces came in and dispersed the protestors.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/incensed-locals-impose-indefinite-gen-strike-in-yairipok-boycott-local-mla/

GUWAHATI, July 14: BJP will win in the upcoming Assembly elections in the North Eastern States and form governments, BJP president Amit Shah said today inaugurating the `Maha Sampark Abhayan`™ a conference of party leaders from the North Eastern States.

The conference held at the Assam Cultural trust, Pragajyoti Hall, Guwahati, was also attended by Union Minister of Sports Independent charge Sarbananda Sonowal, DoNER Minister Jitendra, Union Minister of state (Independent charge ) Petroleum and Natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan, national general secretary organisation Ramlal, national general secretary coordination and NE in-charge Ram Madhop, national general secretary Arun Singh, national spokesperson Nalin S Kohli, Palhard Patel, MP Manipur in-Charge and part leaders from the North Eastern States.

The 80-member Manipur team was led by State president Th Chaoba and included three former presidents among others.

Amit Shah in his presidential speech said the BJP aims to protect India`™s culture and identity and each member of the party should take pride in the fact that they are members of one of the biggest political party in the world.

The party which was launched by only 10 persons is today one of the biggest party in the world which has been made possible only because of the trust of the Indian people, he continued.

At one time, the party could have only two MPs in the Indian Parliament, however, in the 2014 election, the party created history of having the highest number of MPs, he continued.

He further said members of the party should never covet only power even if the party is in power, but work to bring development in all aspects in the country.

Shah further appealed to the members to make BJP win in all upcoming elections including in the Assembly elections.

He also appealed to the party members to make the entire country aware of the BJP ideology and objectives.

BJP is not a party where members of only one family can be the Prime Minister of India, Shah continued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister after a landmark victory in 2014 and in such a brief period of only one year his government has tried to make the NE develop in every aspect, the BJP national president observd.

Several development works have been initiated in the region he said, and added further that development of the NE is a priority of the BJP.

India cannot develop without development of the North East, he continued.

Shah said now the time has come to realise the promises he had made when he was appointed the president of the party in 2014.

Even though the party is one of the biggest political party in the world, it is still weak in the North East, he observed.

It is the party`™s priority to win in the general elections in the North Eastern States to strengthen its presence in the region, he continued.

The party also hopes to form governments in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, he continued.

The party has also resolved to hold Maha Sampark Abhiyan in the district level in the NE States to strengthen the party.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/strengthen-party-in-ne-amit-shah-tells-party-conference-in-guwahati/

IMPHAL Jul 14: The Joint Student Coordination Committee (JSCC) opposes the government`™s decision to provide security personnel around educational institutes in the State.

This was stated by its convener Jayanta Kumar Khuman during a press meet held at the Manipur Student Federation`™s office today.

He said JSCC welcomes the reopening of the schools however they will not support the militarization of education institutes.

`The Government should restore the academic atmosphere of the State which has remained shut following an official order to shut down education institutes. It is unfortunate that the Education minister has questioned the participation of the students in uniform without retrospecting the reasons that had compelled their participation` he aserted.

While condemning police brutality that had led to the death of Sapam Robinhood, he asked, `how many deaths will invoke the Government to safeguard our rights through Inner Line Permit?`™

He added, `The police have attempted to psychologically suppressed the students from partaking in rallies. Rally is not waging a war! However the manner in which the police forces attacked students clearly intents to spread a fear psychosis among students`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jscc-opposes-govt-decision-to-tighten-security-near-schools/

IMPHAL, July 14: A transformer repairing centre located at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai, Imphal West was completely destroyed in a fire that broke out in the centre this morning around 4.30.

According to Manipur Fire Service, the fire incident was informed to the fire brigade at around 5.03 am after which fire service personnel rushed to the area to douse the fire.

By the time they arrived, 14 transformers belonging to Manipur State Power Distribution Company, seven transformer machines, one colour television, one laptop, two computer desktops, five generator sets, one refrigerator, eight barrels containing transformer oil, one oil testing machine, two drums wrapped with new coil, furniture including bed and cash amount of Rs 1, 50, 000 kept at the repairing centre had charred to ashes.

Alpha BCI Memorial Academy adjoining the centre was also engulfed by the fire. The school canteen, textbooks and uniforms were destroyed in the fire.

As stated by caretaker of the school canteen Sita Poudyel, property of the school worth Rs 1 lakh was destroyed in the fire. However, the school building remained unharmed.

However, fire tender personnel managed to save residential houses adjoining the transformer repairing centre from the raging fire.

The workshop being run by Amakcham Dhananjoy Singh is situated at the premises belonging to one RK Rita Devi.

Speaking to newspersons following the fateful incident, Dhananjoy informed that property worth around Rs 80-90 lakh was destroyed in the fire.

He lamented that all his earnings which he had gathered by toiling day and night in his workshop were gone in the devastating fire.

He ruled out short circuit as the cause of the fire but suspected that the fire may have sparked by gas leakage.

Saikhom Rakesh alias Mujao son of S Jugin, who joined in extinguishing the fire, suffered injuries in his right leg.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/property-worth-around-rs-80-lakhs-destroyed-in-transformer-repairing-centre-inferno/

IMPHAL, Jul 14: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has expressed its deepest condolence on the death of Sapam Robinhood and countless numbers of supporters and agitators who have suffered injuries due to police highhandedness witnessed during the movement demanding an Act to check the rampant influx of outsiders into the State and safeguard the indigenous people.

A statement of the committee signed by its asstt media coordinator Md Kheiruddin Shah Moijingmayum said the JCILPS shares the grievances of the families who had to endure such pains for the movement.

It further said that the special meeting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly convened on July 15 should not only withdraw the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, but should also set a timeline in the near future for the enactment of a bill which would safeguard the indigenous people.

The JCILPS supported by the people is all set to launch further agitations in case of the failure of the House to do so, it warned.

It has further appealed to all medical staff including doctors and nurses to properly attend to those injured in the movement.

The statement also said that the committee has opened a medical helpline to attend to those injured during the movement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/set-timeline-for-enactment-of-new-bill-jcilps/

CHANDEL, July 14: The Naga People`™s Front Chandel Divisional Unit has alleged the Chandel DC for not taking necessary steps for formation of the ADC even though the newly formed coalition Democratic Alliance of Chandel (DAC), which claim majority to form the council have already apprised him.

The NPF Chandel Divisional Unit President Ts Molarshing made the statement while briefing media here in Chandel.

Criticising the incumbent Deputy Commissioner of not processing the letter submitted to the DC by the Democratic Alliance of Chandel, on June 19, for inviting the latter to form the ADC, Ts Molarshing came down heavily and questioned the motive behind the state Govt and the district administrator to delay the matter.

Ts Molarshing while informing of the party wishes to expedite the process of forming the ADC at the earliest, appealed Chandel DC to look in to the matter of the letter submitted to him and invite the NPF led DAC to form the ADC at the earliest.

He said that Democratic Alliance of Chandel was formed with 13 elected members who have resigned from their original party therefore the NPF Chandel welcomed them to the party and wishes them to have stable and people`™s government under democratic Alliance of Chandel (DAC).

The party president further alleged that the district administration have not properly communicated to elected members for the oath taking ceremony. The CEO of ADC Chandel was found absent on the oath taking ceremony. The party has expressed deep concern over this matter and should not be repeated, he said.

Meanwhile, the deputy Commissioner Chandel while clarifying the matter to media, who call on him, said the matter was not process as oath taking was not yet.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/npf-chandel-blames-district-administration-for-delay/

IMPHAL, July 14: Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited MSPDCL today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for workman training with Power Sector Skill Council, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship government of India.

The MoU was signed in the Cabinet Room of CM`™s Secretariat on July 14. The MSPDCL was represented by its Managing Director R Sudan while the PSSC was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Binod Bihari.

Speaking on the occasion, the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh expressed gratitude to the Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India for selecting Manipur to undertake the Pilot Project of skill development for Workmen.

This project is as per National Skill Development Policy 2009, he observed.

`I am told that Power Sector Skill Council has been created and has come into operation recently with a mandate to support power industry with appropriate interventions leading to development of required skill sets, in response to industry requirements,` the Chief Minister observed.

He further expressed optimism that the PSSC will identify skill gaps, frame Occupational Standards in order to facilitate development of practical and high quality training content, ensure adequate availability of faculty through training of Trainer initiatives, build accreditation and certification mechanisms and encourage capacity building.

The Chief Minister also congratulated the State Power department for the tie up with the PSSC and said it should start focusing on the most critical gap of Capacity building in respect of work men in power sector.

According to the Chief Minister, the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited after the unbundling from Electricity department, has been trying its best to improve the quality of electrical supply to the people of Manipur.

`In order to further improve the supply of the power to the common people, the maintenance of the existing infrastructure and provide uninterrupted power supply is the key.`

`MSPDCL is now initiating a programme to train and skill up the existing linemen staffs and future outsourced linemen staffs. They will be certified and assess by PSSC.`

`I sincerely appreciate the efforts of department of Labour& Employment, Government of Manipur, which has played an important role under the leadership of I Hemochandra Singh, minister, PHED and Labour & Employment, by agreeing to provide infrastructural support namely, ITI, Takyel, for the purpose of skill training of staff of MSPDCL.`

We are also appreciative of the efforts of Deloitte, the leading global consulting firm, which has been the PMU for MSPDCL, for being the key driver behind all stakeholders coming together for the skill training program of staff of MSPDCL, he continued.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the JCRE Skill Solutions which has been appointed as the Local Training Provider for the agreement reached between MSPDCL and PSSC.

Ibobi also expressed desire that the training partner shall thoroughly train all the linesmen and other workmen under the Power sector so that skilled talent pool for MSPDCL is created to deliver quality work to handle the growing workload.

The occasion was also attended by I Hemochandra Singh, minister of PHED/Labour & Employment;

PC Lawmkunga, State chief secretary; Dr J Suresh Babu, principal secretary (Power ); Dr Suhel Akhtar, principal secretary Labour; Vinod Behari, CEO, Power Sector Skill Council, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Ajit Mathai, director, Deloitte Consultancy Niranjan, Director & CEO of JCRE Solutions.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mspdcl-inks-mou-with-pssc-to-facilitate-skill-development-in-power-sector/

IMPHAL, July 14: The Business Advisory Committee, BAC of the Manipur Legislative Assembly has fixed just two businesses for the part II Emergency Sitting of the 11th session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly which will be held tomorrow starting from 11am.

The BAC meeting was held today at 11am.

Sources said in the first of the two businesses, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh will present the 15th report of the BAC of the Manipur Legislative Assembly before the House.

The second business would be a government resolution motion.

It may be mentioned that an official notification issued yesterday by secretary in charge, Manipur Legislative Assembly K Meghajit Singh had said the `Speaker has been pleased to reconvene an emergency sitting of the 11th session (Part II) of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on July 15 at 11 am in the Assembly hall of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Chingmeirong.

The emergency sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was convened following public upheavals demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar law in the State to safeguard the indigenous people of the State.

It may also be mentioned that the Inner Line Permit System was abolished from Manipur on November 18, 1950 by the then chief commissioner Himat Singh.

Following a motion moved by Opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh in the House on July 13, 2012, the Manipur Legislative Assembly had taken a resolution to implement the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in the State.

The same resolution was passed by the House for a second time after MLA RK Anand moved a similar motion in the House on June 13, 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/one-day-emergency-sitting-of-house-to-have-two-businesses/