Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 30: A combined team of Thoubal district police commandos and 22 Assam Rifles reportedly arrested a cadre of the KCP Noyon faction on Wednesday during a search operation conducted in the general area of Kakching Wairi.

A statement issued by PRO Manipur Police, RK Tutusana, identified the KCP cadre as one Leishangthem Rajkumar alias Naoba alias Tomba, 23, son fo L Muhindro Singh of Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai.

It said that investigation revealed that he was involved in three different encounters with the security forces.

While a case has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station, investigation is said to be underway.

The statement further said that a combined team of 12 Bihar regiment and Bishnupur district police Commando arrested a cadre of the KYKL on July 27 from Nambol Kongkham Makha Leikai.

He has been identified as one Leishangthem Ibohal Meetei alias Loya, 50, son of L Rabichandra Meetei of Nambol Kongkham Makha Leikai.

It said that as per investigation he revealed to have given five demand letters to five congress MLAs of Bishnupur district.

In a separate incident troop of 45 Assam Rifles claimed to have arrested a cadre of PLA while conducted a search operation at Korengei area on Wednesday and recovered arms and ammunitions.

According to official sources, the arrested PLA cadre has been identified as one Lieutenant Hijam Premhi alias Jingboi, 41, son of H Iboyaima of Singjamei Mongkham.

On his disclosure a follow up operation was launched and revered arms and ammunitions from the area of Phaknung village including A Beretta alongwith Magazine, two hand grenades, three live rounds of 9mm pistol and mobile hand set.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/kcp-noyon-cadre-arrested-claim-police/

IMPHAL July 30: Mounting tension has gripped the people in and around Pallel town along Asian Highway 1 as the river running alongside has overflowed flooding the vicinity and the water level continuing to rise with the incessant rain.

Residents of surrounding villages of Pallel area were in for a surprise during the wee hours of July 30, when water started seeping into their homes around 2.

The Island Village which has 47 households under Tengnoupal Block is completely under water with only the rooftops visible above the water.

People have evacuated from their homes and are presently taking shelter at other relative`™s places and good Samaritans.

Some of the affected families are presently taking shelter under the Pallel Church for the night.

The most vulnerable at the moment are the children, elders and the pregnant women.

`No one except for the REACH M volunteers have come to our rescue yet,` lamented a displaced villager.

He said, `Our MLA, district administration authorities and the security forces have also failed to extend any help yet.`

Adjoining villages like Teraphai village, Theimongkung village have also been affected by the flood. At least four houses in Theimongkung villages are flooded.

In Pallel Khulak village, the water has flooded their paddy fields and standing crops.

`People of the Pallel Bazar area comprising of more than 150 households remains sleepless in anxiety as the water level of the river continues to rise` informed Bijoy Mao over the phone at the time of filing this news.

Pallel Bridge was also wrecked by the flood and the commuters are now using an un-inaugurated bridge to cross over the river.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/pallel-villages-inundated-as-river-overflows-banks/

IMPHAL, July 30: The Apunba Langthabal Lep and Phuramakhong Nambul Mapal ILPS Demand Committee supported by local clubs, meira paibis had approached the Naoria Pakhanglakpa A/C, MLA RK Anand at his residence and also submitted a memorandum which contained four demands.

A press release of the committee said that the memorandum was submitted by four members of the committee including its chairman and secretary to the MLA in person.

The MLA gave his support to help implement ILPS in Manipur, it said.

The MLA had also clarified before the committee members that no delaying tactics are being employed by the government on the issue, according to the statement.

It said the MLA also pointed out that work has been taken up to carry out a judicial inquiry on the death of late Sapam Robinhood and there are also appeals for release of other arrested students, it said.

The committee has also stated that further demonstration will be organised if the MLA fails to take up positive actions regarding the demands by August 15, it said further appealing to the public to support the committee.

The committee also extended its gratitude towards those who took part in submitting the memorandum to the MLA.

The charter of demands contained in the memorandum are, to include the five points as demanded by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, Manipur in the present drafting Bill on ILPS, to pass the present drafting New Bill on ILPS by August 15 without fail, the Government of Manipur should not play delaying tactics to the drafting and passing of the New Bill on ILPS which can protect the `Indigenous People`™ of Manipur and to complete the judicial inquiry of late Sapam Robinhood at the earliest, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/langthabal-residents-submit-memorandum-to-naoriya-pakhanglakpa-mla-on-ilps-issue/

IMPHAL, July 30: The recent incessant rainfall in the State has created much apprehension of flood among the people especially in Thoubal area, BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary Media L Bashanta Sharma told media persons today.

He said this is because of the misgovernance of the Congress government in the State.

Speaking to media persons, he said the panic among the people would not have been there had the IFC department been doing its work properly.

Apprehension of fear of flood among the public would have been far lesser had the IFC department released water of the Ithai Barrage routinely, he observed.

Unfortunately, due to the negligence of the department, farmers of Thoubal area have to face much hardship as their paddy fields have been inundated by the recent rain, he asserted.

Various fields in Wabagai Keirak, hiyanglam, Arong Nongmaikhong and others have been submerged under flood, he said.

The Congress doesn`™t care for the people, he warned.

He said if the present government, which enjoys an absolute majority of 48 members in the 60-member House, had any interest for the people of the State, there could have been much development in the State.

But unfortunately, the present government thinks only of themselves and not for the people, he alleged.

Now the failure of the government to ensure quality control in the development projects undertaken in the State has resulted in the collapse of dam in Sekmai, controversial leakages of the yet to be completed Thoubal multi-purpose Dam, collapse of bridge at Heirok, he alleged.

If the government had properly maintained quality according to the fund reflected in the DPR of the projects, such unwarranted collapsing of dams and bridges would have been averted, he observed.

Now that not much time has been left for the third term of the present government to end, the government should take quality control steps of projects immediately, he observed.

He continued, the longest bridge of the State Serou Bridge has been submerged under water due to the recent incessant rainfall.

The bridge is constructed over the Chakpi River. Many houses and paddy fields have also been submerged under water in the area.

Meanwhile, villagers of Serou, Sugunu, Nungu and Tangjeng have drawn the attention of State government to look into their plights.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/government-negligence-causing-apprehensions-of-flood-bjp/

IMPHAL, July 30: The Mapithel Dam Multipurpose Project Displaced Villages Committee (MDMPDVC) has said that in a unanimous move on July 29, the committee has endorsed to extend maximum cooperation and moral support to the proposed agitation called by Mapithel Dam Affected Ching Tam Organisation (MDACTO) in relation with the extreme dissatisfaction of the affected villages in and around the construction site of Mapithel Dam.

According to a release of MDMPDVC, the injudicious treatment of the government of Manipur which affects more than 20,000 displaced people has called for strong condemnation from all quarters.

The Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R and R) package for those directly affected in Chadong and Lamlai Khunou villages have been cut off and the people who once subsisted on the natural resources and vegetations have been denied of access owning to massive submergence of lands, dwelling houses and sources thereby depriving the people of their means of livelihood, it said.

The committee further pointed out that due to blocking of the river, the main life support system of the downstream villages like Louphong, Phayang, Nongdam, Maphou Kuki, Tumukhong, Moirangpurel, Itham Island and TC Pokpi are worst affected. The government should announce economic Rehabilitation for downstream villages affected by the dam at the earliest either by means of employment or commensurate economic packages, it said.

The committee also pointed out that the man-made calamity created by the government of Manipur with deliberate intentions and its nonchalant attitude towards the plight of the people is a gross violation of human rights by all norms and standards, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mdmpdvc-supports-mdacto-agitation-against-mapithel-dam/

IMPHAL, July 30: The Editors Guild, Manipur has stated that despite repeated request mediapersons and reporters continue to be stopped and even harassed by some people in the name of supporting the ongoing movement for ILPS and related issues of killing Robinhood.

It said today too a team of media person were stopped from crossing Dinku Road while on their way to collect news from the house of late Robinhood.

If such situation continue the media will not be able function properly. We therefore appeal to all organisations to kindly instruct their volunteers not to prevent any media person from performing their duty. If they have any doubt about the authenticity of the identity of any media person they are welcome to contact the President and General Secretary of the Editors Guild Manipur as well as any individual Editors whose number we are providing.

A.Mobi- President EGM 9206123606

Yumnam Rupachandra- Secretary General EGM 9612158469

For individual news house please contact:

Pradip Phanjoubam-Imphal Free Press: 9862032145

Aribam Robindro- Editor Poknapham: 9436021665

Khogen khomdram- Editor Sangai Express: 9402882488

Hemanta Ningombam – Editor Huiyen Lanpao: 9856088733

L Kumar- Editor Ireibak: 9862853418

P Ibochouba- Chief Editor Kangla Pao: 8794865615

A Chandragupta-Joint Editor Naharolgi Thoudang: 94368972484

Shivadutta Luwang `“ Editor Pandam 9436234189

Rinku Khumukcham `“ Imphal Times 9862860745

Ranjit Oinamcha `“ Paojel 9615465825

G. Bharvesh `“ Peoples`™ Chronicle 8974132510

Yumnam Rupachandra-Editor-in-Chief Impact TV News: 9612158469

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/appeal-against-harrasment-of-media-persons-editors-guild/

IMPHAL, July 30: The people are aware that the government has no tangible stand on the ongoing demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar law in the State, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System told media persons today.

Speaking at a press conference at the Keishampat office of the United People`™s Front, JCILPS convenor in charge Khomdram Ratan said the people are aware of the delaying tactics of the government on the issue and that it has no will to bring a proper solution to the people`™s demand.

In such a scenario the JCILPS cannot hold any talks with the government, he said.

The government with its delaying tactics is only trying to befool the public, which we are aware of and as such there will be no let up in the people`™s movement demanding implementation of the ILPS, he asserted.

Elucidating on the fear of the people which has led to the uproar for the ILPS, Ratan observed that of the 27 lakhs approx State population, a staggering 10 lakhs are outsiders.

He said so long as there is no stopping of the large scale entry of illegal non-locals the apprehension of the local populace that they will end up marginalised will not be assuaged.

This is the time for the State government to act swiftly and allay the fear and apprehension of its people, Ratan observed. The elected representatives are here to represent their people and have the advantage to enact any legislation for the welfare of their people and if they are unable to do so, it would be because of their incompetence, he rued.

The JCILPS, he announced has also commenced its civil disobedience movement against the government from today.

Late Sapam Robinhood has already been declared a martyr with the title of `Yelhoumee Kannabagi Lamjing Meira` however, his body still lies unclaimed at the JNIMS mortuary since July 8, Ratan observed, adding further that this is due to the negligence of the State government.

Even though it has been more than 20 days now since his death, the government has failed to even suspend the personnel responsible for the student`™s death, he lamented.

Emphasising on the issue of closure of the educational institutes in the State capital, he said this could only mean a negative impact on the students of Manipur.

Expressing concern on the reports of incidents of media persons and medical staff being assaulted by protestors during the movement, he said the JCILPS has repeatedly urged the volunteers and agitators not to disturb the essential services including media persons, medical staff and those attending religions functions.

He further urged all supporters and agitators to comply with the appeal and stop hindering movements of the essential services.

Co-convenor of the JCILPS, Haopu Kom said the ongoing movement demanding ILPS in the State is for the entire State and not just for a community.

The report of some tribes not wanting to join the movement is regrettable and unfortunate, he said observing that the movement needs co-operation from every section of the society for the government to fulfill the demand.

He said Khurai is the epicenter of the ongoing agitation as it is the locality of Sapam Robinhood who was killed due to police action at a rally demanding ILPS.

Now the blockade at Dingku Road by the JAC is because it is the main road passing through their locality and not to cut-off Ukhrul, he continued.

Every section of the society should understand the sentiment of the movement and support it instead of spreading rumours and baseless information to tarnish the image of the ongoing movement, he continued.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/govts-delaying-tactics-transparent-jcilps/

IMPHAL, July 30: Three MLAs who are members of the government constituted drafting committee of the Inner Line Permit bill have submitted their resignation to the Chief Minister today.

Sources also informed that the State government has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs for deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Imphal.

Meanwhile, top brass of the BJP State unit are presently in the national capital urging the Union government to clamp President`™s Rule in Manipur.

According to reliable sources, MLAs RK Anand, N Biren and Ng Bijoy who are members of the drafting committee of the bill for protection of indigenous people have tendered their resignations to the Chief Minister in the afternoon today.

The said committee was constituted in July 21 by the State government with minister Th Debendra as the chairman, M Yaiskul Meitei, special secretary as the convener along with the three MLAs as members.

The reason behind the three legislature`™s motive for leaving the committee is still not clear.

But, sources maintained that N Biren was annoyed that the police personnel who were responsible for the death of Sapam Robinhood are still not suspended. He had argued that the police who were responsible for shooting Ngangom Robinson at Singjamei Mayeng Leikai on July 28 were suspended, but no action has been taken against those who were involved in the Robinhood incident despite a judicial inquiry being initiated in the regard, according to the sources.

Late night reports informed that the Chief Minister had called RK Anand and Ng Bijoy to his bungalow to settle the matter but, N Biren refused to come for talks.

It may be mentioned that the late S Robinhood belongs to N Biren`™s assembly constituency.

IFP called up the concerned MLAs to verify the reports, but they remained unreachable.

Regarding the ILPS agitations, the State government has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi for deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) at Imphal.

Reliable sources mentioned that a fax message has been sent to the Joint Secretary (North East), MHA seeking immediate deployment of at least two companies of RAF at Imphal to aid in handling the law and order problem.

Sources maintained that the request for deployment of RAF was made in light of the intense agitations over the ILP issue and the under-staffed Manipur Police.

It is also learnt that acting on the problems faced by the public, the BJP Manipur Pradesh top leaders including its president Th Chaoba are presently camped at Delhi to meet the Union ministers and to put up a memorandum to the concern for clamping President`™s Rule in the State.

This is in the light that the State government has been unable to tender to the genuine demand of the public and handle the series of ongoing protests in the State.

Sources mentioned that signatures of BJP members have been collected in the petition urging for President`™s Rule.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mlas-resign-from-drafting-committee-leaving-govt-in-a-quandary-bjp-bids-for-pr/

IMPHAL, Jul 29: The Governor of Manipur has expressed profound sorrow at the sad demise of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India.

Dr. Syed Ahmad in a condolence message said, `Dr. Kalam was an illustrious and visionary President of the country and guided millions of children to follow the path of the finest leaders of the country. He was the role model to the children in the country. `He invoked God to give his family members, the strength to bear the irreparable loss with courage, and prayed for his departed soul.

In a similar message, CM O Ibobi has also conveyed his deepest condolence at the sad demise of Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and a Bharat Ratna awardee.

In his message, he said that Dr. Abdul Kalam was a great human being and visionary par excellence and his demise is an irreparable loss to the nation. His visits to Manipur are still remembered here and expressed sadness that he passed away while doing the things he likes best, igniting the minds of the youth of this country.

Echoing the same, Speaker Th. Lokeshwar expressed his deepest condolence at the untimely demise of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and shared the sorrow of family members and well wishers. In a message, Th. Lokeshwar said, Dr. Kalam was brought up from a humble fisherman family. He loves interacting with young students and even dedicates his last minute for the service of the country. When he was the President of India, he came to Bunglon village and inspects the needs of the school students. We should never forget the good deeds of Dr. Kalam, the Speaker urged.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/guv-and-cm-mourn-death-of-apj-abdul-kalam/

IMPHAL, July 29: Asking the government to immediately cease indulging in double standard, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has accused the Drafting Committee constituted by the government of misleading the people by making false promises that a draft bill to monitor the alarming influx of outsiders into the state will be produced within three days.

In a statement signed by assistant media co-ordinator of JCILPS, the committee alleged that the government has been dishonest when it comes to the proposed bill, which is evident from the fact that suggestions have been sought from the public on the proposed drafting bill which should be acceptable to the people.

By passing the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 instead of the draft bill recommended by the all political parties, it has been proved that the government is working according to its whims, sidelining wishes of the people. The present public outrage over the enactment of a fresh bill is due to the apparent failure of the government to work according to pulse of the people, it said.

Stating that the committee has lost faith in the government, the statement said the government could win hearts of the people only after the five points recommended by the committee are included in the proposed bill.

The government should regard and accommodate the resolutions adopted during the recent public convention on ILP in the proposed bill, it demanded, asking to suspend those police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood instead of protecting them.

Further charging the government of violating Right to Education Act by closing down all the educational institutions since July 9 in fear of reprisal from the student community following the death of Robinhood, the statement made it clear the ongoing mass movement for enactment of an acceptable cannot be suppressed by shutting down the educational institutions.

It then clarified that the committee has not been formally informed by the government about the progress on the proposed bill.

Announcing that the committee will launch civil disobedience movement to teach the inefficient government a fitting lesson, it appealed to the people to continue with different forms of agitation including sit-in-protest, road-block, mass rally etc till a fresh bill acceptable to all sections of the people is passed by the government.

The JCILPS in the statement also cautioned the government not to try to suppress the ongoing mass movement by using excessive power and deploying state forces as unwanted incidents may crop up thereafter.

Maintaining that the ongoing mass movement is for the sake of securing identity of the present and future generation, the committee appealed to protestors to not cause disturbance and damage to vehicles belonging to electricity, ambulance, water supply, media, medical and religious service during the agitations.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jcilps-on-course-to-launch-civil-disobedience-movement/

IMPHAL, July 29: The State cabinet has already decided to upgrade the Churachandpur District Hospital to a medical college, said Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing after inaugurating two Primary Health sub-Centres at Pearsonmun Village and mata Village in Churachandpur today.

Churachandpur is the second city of Manipur, he said adding that the State cabinet has selected the district for the medical college proposed in a hill district.

Phungzathang said the 100-bedded CCpur hospital was recently upgraded to a 200 bedded hospital.

The State is now considering as to whether expand the hospital by acquiring the nearby area or to shift it to a new site, the Health minister said.

Meanwhile, elaborating about the two sub centres inaugurated today, Phungzathang said the two sub-centres were long established but had not been properly functioning.

Now with the new buildings inaugurated today, the two will start functioning normally from today, he observed.

He also assured that the department will make arrangements to hire grade VI employees starting from today onwards.

Although there are no criteria for posting regular doctors at both the sub-centres, visiting doctors will be made available in the sub-centres, he said.

According to the rule books, there is no provision entitling a doctor in a PHSC, but, he said, he had requested the doctors to atleast visit the PHSCs one or twice a week.

He further urged the nurses and the grade VI staff of the PHSCs to work diligently.

Okram Ibomcha director Health Services and project director, NRHM said there are now 421 PHSCs in the State including the two inaugurated today.

ASHAs and ANM nurses will directly contact people for immunization of pregnant women and children in the PHSCs, he observed.

The PHSC is the grass-root level of the Health sector, but it can be easily upgraded to a CHC if its performance is good, he continued.

Replying to a request of the chief of Mata Village to upgrade the PHSC to a PHC, the minister said it is not that easy to do so, but will certainly make an effort.

Deputy commissioner CCpur Lunminthang Haokip said that the efficiency and dependability of Ccpur in health sector is evident from the fact that many patients continue to arrive in the district from the neighbouring States for treatment.

On the occasion the Minister was accompanied by Director of Health Service Manipur and Director of Family welfare Manipur,and host of newly elected MDC, the SP and DC of Ccpur ,SDO Ccpur, CO of Khuga Battalion,CMO, Med.Supernatant of Ccpur district Hospital.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/health-minister-inaugurates-phscs/