Manipur News

IMPHAL December 16: A Chinese-made hand grenade was found near the residence of a betel leaf agent in Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai under Imphal Police Station at around 10 .30 am today. Later, the bomb was safely defused by a team of Imphal Police.

According to police sources, the bomb was discovered by the locals close to the boundary wall of the residence of Norendro alias Tomba, 47, son of late Ibomcha, and they informed the police about the bomb.

After receiving the information, a team of Imphal Police rushed to Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and safely retrieved the bomb, police said.

It may be mentioned that around midnight of November 7 last, a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was set off at the veranda of a betel leaf godown at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai owned by Norendro. The blast shattered the window panes, tin roofs and entrance gate of buildings in the vicinity.

On the other hand, talking to IFP over the phone, Norendro said that information was provided to him by officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) post at Koirengei on his mobile phone that a militant group has planted a hand grenade somewhere near   his residence. As he was at present staying at another house at Khoyathong, he passed the information to his sister Anandi asking her to confirm the situation. While looking out at the specified place, she found a suspicious object lying unattended near their residence and in front of an under construction shop, he stated.

When he reached his Thangmeiband residence personnel of Imphal police and BSF had already arrived there. He admitted receiving threats and monetary demands from various underground groups from the past many months and also clarified that he is no more related to the betel leaf business.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/betel-leaves-agent-recieves-second-bomb-threat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=betel-leaves-agent-recieves-second-bomb-threat

IMPHAL, December 16: None of the products including handloom and handicraft which are made in the state are registered with the Geographical Indication, and as such unable to make claims whenever the products are copied or imitated by someone else, said Commerce and Industries, minister, Govindas Konthoujam today.

Speaking at the distribution function of loom and accessories of Imphal Handloom Cluster at Common Facilities Centre (CFC) at Nongthombam Leikai today, the minister elaborated that there is a need for all products to be registered.

Today’s function was organized by the Institute of Entrepreneurs today.

During the function 40 looms and 600 accessories of looms were distributed to the beneficiaries.   

He continued that in order to promote the handcraft and handloom products of the state, the government has already urged the Ministry of Textile to open 36 clusters in the state; and added that as per the report of Handloom census 2010- 2011 the state holds the third position in the production of handloom and handicraft products in the country and is the first amongst the Northeastern states.

Apart from sports, handcraft and handloom products bring laurels to the state, he said.

He however lamented that the participation of male in the industry is minimal.

In order to promote the products of the state, it is necessary for the men of the state to actively participate in the field, he continued.

He further said that without differentiating works for men and women, everyone should work hard.

There is no lack of market for the finished products, he said before adding that if the production can be increased and be maintained, he would surely bring more entrepreneurs from outside the state or country.

He said that there is a scheme which provides solar home lighting to all weavers, and as such the weavers need to be aware of the scheme and avail of it.

The minister also assured that a power loom training will be held at Takyel Industries soon.  

Parliamentary Secretary, MOBC and SC, Md Amin Shah also mentioned that the work culture of the state needs much improvement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/commerce-and-industries-minister-stresses-on-need-of-geographical-indication-registration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commerce-and-industries-minister-stresses-on-need-of-geographical-indication-registration

IMPHAL, December 16: With the objective to meet its target to implement the National Food Security Act by March 2015, the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has given nod to constitute district level committee for implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013.

In the meantime, it also resolved to complete the issuing of household cards by end of January 2014.

The cabinet meeting was held today around 3pm in the cabinet hall of Chief Minister’s secretariat.

Briefing media persons in his office chamber after the cabinet meeting, CAF and PD minister who is also the government’s spokesperson, M Okendro, divulged that the cabinet meeting also minutely reviewed the current Plan Expenditure (2013-14) wherein it resolved to instruct all the departments to submit Utilisation Certificate and Action Plan report to be submitted by December 20.

Moreover, it also set target to utilise the funds by December 6, taking serious note of the slow pace of work.

He revealed that only 12 percent of the annual plan has been utilised at an average rate for all the departments. All heads of departments and entire deputy commissions of the districts also attended the cabinet meet.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the upgradation of Sahamphung SDC Circle in Ukhrul district to sub-division and also discussed minutely on the law and order situation of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/district-level-committee-for-nafsa-recieves-cabinets-nod/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=district-level-committee-for-nafsa-recieves-cabinets-nod

IMPHAL, December 16: A team of the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) police under the supervision of S Gautam Singh, SPNAB seized 2,04,600 (two lakhs four thousand six hundred) defaced Respifed tablet and 1,91,350 (one lakh ninety one thousand three hundred) Robocoff tablets containing pseudoephedrine in front of Mt Zion Senior Secondary School, Karong in Senapati district on December 14, at around 4.10 pm, a, said a press release of the NAB SP.

It said that the seized tablets were recovered from a tata truck along with three individuals.

The statement further identified the three accused as Md Zia UI Haque, 25, son of Abdul Haque of Haoreibi Makha leikai, Lilong Police Station; Md Nurul Haque, 27, son of (L) Samsur Jaman of Mayang Imphal Bengoon Maning under Mayang Imphal Police Station; Md Roushan, 23, son of Md Imam Ali of Mayang Imphal Bengool under Mayang Imphal Police Station (second driver).

The statement further said the Tata truck bearing registration no MN01/8238 is also seized along with the three who have been arrested.

Further according to the NAB SP statement, the value of the seized drugs in the grey market is about Rs 36 lakh.

A case has been registered in Narcotics and Affairs of Border Police Station in connection with the  seizure of the huge quantity of drugs and further investigation is going on, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/nab-seizes-huge-consignment-of-contraband-drugs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nab-seizes-huge-consignment-of-contraband-drugs