Tag: IFP

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

The High Court of Manipur today disposed and rejected MC (EL Pet) of 2017 filed by Sagolband A.C MLA, RK. Imo against the election petition filed by BJP candidate of Sagolband A.C, Kh. Lokendro.

Imo had filed the counter election petition during April, challenging the election petition filed against him by Lokendro, stating that the petition filed against him is not maintainable to be heard by the court.

The single bench of the high court justice, Kh. Nobin Singh today heard the matter and later disposed and rejected the election petition filed by Imo as the court found merit of the election petition filed by Lokendro.

Mentioned may be made that Lokendro, who was defeated by Imo during the last general election of the state at the margin of only 19 votes, have filed his election petition before the high court.

His petition stated that the numbers of votes which got by the Imo from postal ballots papers have not followed proper election procedure and declaring and Imo being elected as MLA of Sagolband A.C is illegal.

In the meantime the court has fixed the hearing of the election petition filed by Lokendro on December 10.

IMPHAL | Dec 13

Health and Family Welfare minister, L. Jayantakumar Singh has said that society needs ideal mothers to nurture the children for a bright future and for a healthy nation.

The minister was addressing the gatherings as chief guest on the occasion of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matriva Abhiyan (PMSMA) Award Ceremony, at JNIMS auditorium, Porompat today. It was organised by State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur.

Jayantakumar further asserted that the government has launched many welfare schemes for the women and children. Officers and Staff of the concerned departments should be sincere enough so that the schemes can reach to the deserving beneficiaries, he added. He also advised all the concerned for judicious use of the sanctioned fund by the government for making the schemes fruitful.

He further stated that giving medical attention with free medical service to the pregnant women will not serve the purpose of the scheme if women are not given education so that they can fully understand the schemes. In fact, the mothers are needed to be intellectually and spiritually sound, he added.

Delivering a presidential speech, director of Health Services, government of Manipur, Dr. K. Rajo Singh said that PMSMA was launched on July 9, 2016 by the Prime Minister of India and it will benefit the women of the country, particularly the pregnant women. In the state, the scheme was launched on August 8, 2016, he added.

As part of the function, awards were distributed to the doctors and health volunteers including nurses in recognition for their services in helping and giving free treatment to the pregnant women in the state.

The function was also attended by director of JNIMS, Dr. Th. Bhimo Singh as guest of honour, along with deputy commissioners, medical experts, doctors, health services staff, staff from NHM and health volunteers.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Dec 13

Under the aegis of Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL-Tangkhul Youth Council) a ‘human chain’ was organised today at Ukhrul.

The human chain was started from Mini Secretariat Complex to UBI Bank, Viewland, Ukhrul and it was organised in support of Framework Agreement 2015 and to expedite the long awaited Indo-Naga Political settlement.

The Tangkhul Longnao also submitted a memorandum addressing to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, through the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul. It mentioned the gratitude to the BJP government for recognising the unique history and situation of the Naga. The memorandum urged the government of India and the Naga leaders to work out for a solution at the earliest which will be mutually acceptable to both the parties. It also mentioned that the framework agreement is the only way for bringing lasting peace between government of India and NSCN (IM). It also strongly objected the outside interference in the process of bringing honourable solution and viewed such interference as an unhealthy development which could only complicate the problems. The memorandum also appealed the Centre not to delay the solution and prolong the peace process.

The memorandum was jointly signed by presidents of Tangkhul Naga Long,  Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women’s League) and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long. The copy of memorandum was also forwarded to interlocutor of the Naga Peace Talk, RN. Ravi and Home minister, government of India, Rajnath Singh.

President of Tangkhul Naga Long, Weapon Zimik urged the two parties to arrive a solution at the earliest and also thanked the government of India for recognising the unique history and identity of the Nagas. Tangkhul Naga Long will extend full support to the framework agreement and urged neighbours civil society to extend support for bringing a peaceful and lasting solution. He also mentioned that the peace process has dragged for too long and called upon expediting the talks for early and lasting solution.

President of Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Thanmi LM. Shimray asserted that the Nagas from time immemorial has been independent and living a dignified life. The culture, food habits and way of life are distinct from other culture and the unique identity has been duly recognised by the government of India, he added.

The human chain was taken part by thousands of young and old people.

By Pradip Phanjoubam

NEW DELHI | Dec 13

I am constrained to write this note because of the number of anxious inquiries I have been receiving throughout the day from different sections of the people in Manipur as well as media, including some based in New Delhi, about a meeting a group of people from Manipur, including me, who met with R.N. Ravi, the interlocutor of the Naga Peace talks, in New Delhi, today. This interest has been provoked, I understand, by reports in some sections of the media.

I do this so that people are not led to have an inflated opinion of the importance of the meeting, or unwarranted optimism or pessimism on the possible influence today’s meeting may have on the outcome of the peace process. IFP readers will notice I did not even disclose the information in my own newspaper because I did not think it was so newsworthy or deserving of attention, but from whatever their sources, the information apparently became available to some other newspapers.

We were indeed called upon for suggestions and feedbacks on how things should be taken forward on a matter which is sensitive but important. As in any such meetings, we were simply tasked to listen to each other in the hope that our mutual knowledge of the issue would enriched the general understanding of the problem and that there may come to be some illuminating light shed on the vexed issue in the course of these exchanges.

The interlocutor has been doing such consultations with many other groups routinely in Manipur and Nagaland ever since the Framework Agreement was signed more than two years ago, either whenever he visited these two states, and sometimes in Delhi when this was more convenient.

Our group happens to be just one in this exchange of ideas mechanism.

As to how this group came about, the late respected Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, is to be thanked for. According to Prof. Gangumei, when he approached me, he was asked by the interlocutor to recommend some names from the Meitei community whom he had confidence in to be part of this consultative process.

Prof. Gangmumei listed six names, but according to what he told me, one of them Dr. R.K. Nimai expressed his inability to be part of the group as he was then the advisor to the then government headed by chief minister Okram Ibobi.

Prof. Gangmumei then approached the rest in his list, which included Prof (retd) R.K. Ranjan, Prof. (retd) N. Joykumar, Prof. (retd) Ksh. Bimola and Prof. Amar Yumnam and me. It will be noticed that the late professor was either a close colleague or else the mentor of the names in this list.

The status of the Framework Agreement now seemingly is nothing more or less than what is already in the public domain – which is, it is still being worked on and nothing final has been reached yet.

These meetings are nothing close to recommendatory, and are more like people concerned with the issue opening up their minds to each other so that some way forward not detrimental to the interest of any of the stakeholders may result.

From the impression we have after today’s meeting, there has still not been any real breakthrough on how this matter should be resolved. We do hope there will be one someday soon which is acceptable to every stakeholder.

As readers of IFP will know, I have been writing on this issue consistently from my own assessment of the developments from time to time, and my opinions in these columns were also my feedback forwarded to the interlocutor, and the feedbacks from the other members of the group were all on similar lines.

By The Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A team of Japanese delegates who are here in the state for a three day visit for the purpose of giving tributes and solidarity to the departed souls, who had sacrificed their life during World War II, had met governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhawan today.

In the informal meeting that was attended by the Japanese delegates and the governor, the strengthening of Indo-Japanese relation specifically with Manipur was discussed.

The governor welcomed all the delegates and extended her views of having a good relation between India and Japan. “Culturally there is a close connection between India and Japan because India also follows all the three religion such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism which are widely accepted in South East” she said.

Not only in terms of cultural relation, a never ending relation was built up between Japan and Manipur ever since the Second World War which occurred from 1939 to 1945, she added.

As road connectivity is one of the essential requirements in building a good relationship between countries, she said “Japan should help build roads in Manipur for connectivity with the entire South East Asian countries for which she is also pursuing the matter with the government, to construct good road connections that reach the entire South East Asian countries.”

Showing her keen interest in creating a close connection between Indo-Japanese and Manipur –Japan relation, she recalled “I had discussed with the Ambassador of Japan regarding the bi- lateral relation between Indo-Japan and Manipur-Japan and cleansing of Loktak Lake as well in the previous year.”

Recently at the Sangai festival business summit she invited Japanese delegates and asked them to invest in Manipur in building roadways, she added.

The governor suggested the Japanese team to visit the Manipur state museum where the artefacts of the world war were displayed.

Gyomyo Nakamaru who led the 11 delegates said the main purpose of their visit was to pray at Japan War Memorial Complex at Maibam Lokpa Ching, for the war victims of the Japanese army, the Indian army and the civilians who had died in World War II, particularly in Japanese-Imphal-Ladakh war.

He requested the governor to make the state government improve the road connectivity of Manipur so that Japanese tourist can visit the state and promote Manipur tourism.

As a token of love, the Japanese delegates gifted items to the governor that included a scarf which was printed with symbol of coming Olympic Games. The governor of Manipur also presented a book about World War II to the Japanese delegates.

By The Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A team of Japanese delegates who are here in the state for a three day visit for the purpose of giving tributes and solidarity to the departed souls, who had sacrificed their life during World War II, had met governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhawan today.

In the informal meeting that was attended by the Japanese delegates and the governor, the strengthening of Indo-Japanese relation specifically with Manipur was discussed.

The governor welcomed all the delegates and extended her views of having a good relation between India and Japan. “Culturally there is a close connection between India and Japan because India also follows all the three religion such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism which are widely accepted in South East” she said.

Not only in terms of cultural relation, a never ending relation was built up between Japan and Manipur ever since the Second World War which occurred from 1939 to 1945, she added.

As road connectivity is one of the essential requirements in building a good relationship between countries, she said “Japan should help build roads in Manipur for connectivity with the entire South East Asian countries for which she is also pursuing the matter with the government, to construct good road connections that reach the entire South East Asian countries.”

Showing her keen interest in creating a close connection between Indo-Japanese and Manipur –Japan relation, she recalled “I had discussed with the Ambassador of Japan regarding the bi- lateral relation between Indo-Japan and Manipur-Japan and cleansing of Loktak Lake as well in the previous year.”

Recently at the Sangai festival business summit she invited Japanese delegates and asked them to invest in Manipur in building roadways, she added.

The governor suggested the Japanese team to visit the Manipur state museum where the artefacts of the world war were displayed.

Gyomyo Nakamaru who led the 11 delegates said the main purpose of their visit was to pray at Japan War Memorial Complex at Maibam Lokpa Ching, for the war victims of the Japanese army, the Indian army and the civilians who had died in World War II, particularly in Japanese-Imphal-Ladakh war.

He requested the governor to make the state government improve the road connectivity of Manipur so that Japanese tourist can visit the state and promote Manipur tourism.

As a token of love, the Japanese delegates gifted items to the governor that included a scarf which was printed with symbol of coming Olympic Games. The governor of Manipur also presented a book about World War II to the Japanese delegates.

IMPHAL | Dec 13

Horticulture and Soil Conservation minister, Thounaojam Shyamkumar today gave assurance that he will conduct on the spot inquiry regarding the matter of false allegation on Horticulture department and take stern action against the individual(s) for defaming the department.

Speaking to media persons at his New Secretariat office, the minister said that beneficiaries under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) get their scheme amounts through respective bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. He continued that the primary aim of DBT is to bring transparency and terminate pilferage from distribution of funds sponsored by the centre. Clarifying regarding the allegation published in a local daily that some amounts were deducted for payment to the department officials, Shyamkumar said that MIDH scheme is for the previous financial year. He further questioned the timing of the allegation made by the beneficiary.

He instructed the said ‘beneficiary’ to send application to his office along with the evidences like documents, cheque number, name of the bank and the amount. He also welcomed other beneficiaries having similar complaints to send application to his office along with evidences.

The minister also cautioned that any false allegations against the department will attract legal action and similar action may be taken against the department officials if found guilty.

Shyamkumar said that the department under the leadership of chief minister is working hard for the welfare of the farmers of the state. If any person(s) is found trying to defame the department without concrete evidences then stern action will be taken up according to law of the land, he added.

It may be mentioned that a report on local daily published on December 12 stated that a strong suspicion has been raised about deduction of a sum of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 each from a total number of 3,125 beneficiaries listed under the MIDH 2015-16 schemes for payment to officials. The scheme was implemented in 2016-17 under the Manipur Horticulture Development Society and a sum of Rs 13 crore inclusive of the state’s matching share was sanctioned in March this year.

IMPHAL | Dec 13

Horticulture and Soil Conservation minister, Thounaojam Shyamkumar today gave assurance that he will conduct on the spot inquiry regarding the matter of false allegation on Horticulture department and take stern action against the individual(s) for defaming the department.

Speaking to media persons at his New Secretariat office, the minister said that beneficiaries under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) get their scheme amounts through respective bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. He continued that the primary aim of DBT is to bring transparency and terminate pilferage from distribution of funds sponsored by the centre. Clarifying regarding the allegation published in a local daily that some amounts were deducted for payment to the department officials, Shyamkumar said that MIDH scheme is for the previous financial year. He further questioned the timing of the allegation made by the beneficiary.

He instructed the said ‘beneficiary’ to send application to his office along with the evidences like documents, cheque number, name of the bank and the amount. He also welcomed other beneficiaries having similar complaints to send application to his office along with evidences.

The minister also cautioned that any false allegations against the department will attract legal action and similar action may be taken against the department officials if found guilty.

Shyamkumar said that the department under the leadership of chief minister is working hard for the welfare of the farmers of the state. If any person(s) is found trying to defame the department without concrete evidences then stern action will be taken up according to law of the land, he added.

It may be mentioned that a report on local daily published on December 12 stated that a strong suspicion has been raised about deduction of a sum of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 each from a total number of 3,125 beneficiaries listed under the MIDH 2015-16 schemes for payment to officials. The scheme was implemented in 2016-17 under the Manipur Horticulture Development Society and a sum of Rs 13 crore inclusive of the state’s matching share was sanctioned in March this year.

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A team of Narcotic Cell, Imphal East has seized 25 grams of heroin powder today worth around Rs. 3 to 4 lakhs and arrested one individual from 1st Street, New Checkon near Tribal market.

The arrested individual is identified as Thangboy Khongsai (28) son of Jajang Khongsai of Saron Veng, Moreh Ward no. IX, Tengnoupal district.

Briefing media persons today at the office of Imphal east, SP at Porompat, Imphal, SP, K. Kabib said that police were able to seize and make the arrest  while conducting frisking and checking in and around the New Checkon area as a part of drive against drugs under the supervision of DSP (CAR), Roni Mayengbam and inspector, Kh. Devkumar Singh.

The police team arrested the individual by following the formalities and he will be handed over to Porompat police station for further investigation and legal procedures, he added.

Stating that the police department is working at their best level to eradicate drugs and crime from the state, the SP seeks cooperation and support from the public while performing their duties.

Kabib lastly asked the community elders of the state to inform police if any suspected selling of drugs and illegal activities are going on in their respective locality.

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A team of Narcotic Cell, Imphal East has seized 25 grams of heroin powder today worth around Rs. 3 to 4 lakhs and arrested one individual from 1st Street, New Checkon near Tribal market.

The arrested individual is identified as Thangboy Khongsai (28) son of Jajang Khongsai of Saron Veng, Moreh Ward no. IX, Tengnoupal district.

Briefing media persons today at the office of Imphal east, SP at Porompat, Imphal, SP, K. Kabib said that police were able to seize and make the arrest  while conducting frisking and checking in and around the New Checkon area as a part of drive against drugs under the supervision of DSP (CAR), Roni Mayengbam and inspector, Kh. Devkumar Singh.

The police team arrested the individual by following the formalities and he will be handed over to Porompat police station for further investigation and legal procedures, he added.

Stating that the police department is working at their best level to eradicate drugs and crime from the state, the SP seeks cooperation and support from the public while performing their duties.

Kabib lastly asked the community elders of the state to inform police if any suspected selling of drugs and illegal activities are going on in their respective locality.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

A programme under the theme “Women’s Voice” was organised today by Women Action for Development in collaboration with United NGOs Mission Manipur, Centre for Social Development and Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights at Imphal Hotel.

Head of English department, DM College, Ch. Sheelaramani, who attended the programme, said that in a patriarchal society such as Manipur, women need to be more vocal and work smarter to have equal status in the society.

She said that women need to stand up and empower themselves to be equal with men, and should become capable workers to acquire total women empowerment.

Sheelaramani also pointed out that gender based violence is still an ultimate outcome of patriarchal society of the state. Women have no identity and no name is a patriarchal society, she also pointed out.

She further said that AFSPA is a male dominated law which show masculinity, she said, it also criminalised day to day life and leads to feminisation of poverty, which is a phenomenon in which women represent disproportionate percentages of the world’s poor. 

Priyadarshini Gangte, lecturer at Christian Damdei College, delivering her speech said that in the context of Manipur’s history, women are allegedly regarded as a sex symbol. Starting with the dress code of women, she said that women are judged with every flaws and this needs to be changed.

She proposed that a syllabus dedicating wholly to women studies should be introduced in universities. Giving her justification, she said that most syllabuses are made of stories about men and, thoughts and justifications of men, but not of women.

President of Rongmei Lu Phuam, Panti Golmei also spoke during the function as resource person.

The function is about empowering women and held in connection with 16 days activism protesting violence against women, she said.

Women from all walks of life, be it academics, health professionals, filmmakers, media and others attended the function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 12

A total of 40 gold bars weighing approximately 6.632 kilograms and worth around Rs. 1,72,63,096 were seized from two individuals who were arrested yesterday by a team of Tengnoupal district police led by Tengnoupal SP, S. Ibomcha.

The arrested individuals are identified as Mv. Md. Iqbal Hussain (31), son of Md. Allaudin of Kwakta Tearkhongsangbi, Bishnupur and Mv. Md. Gayajuddin alias Sagei alias Ningthou (33), son of late Mv. Allimuddin of Lilong Kaleikhong.

Briefing media persons today at the conference hall of Imphal West SP office, Babupara, Ibomcha said that the checking was conducted based on a specific input received from Customs Preventive Force, Moreh that some smuggled gold bars were being transported from Moreh towards Imphal on a maruti van.

Two suspected maruti vans of silver colour were search thoroughly and during checking, the gold bars were found hidden inside both, rear doors the frames of one van bearing registration no. AS-01DB/0580, he added. The SP continued that owner of the van, Iqbal disclosed that the gold bars were smuggled by him from Myanmar in collusion with driver of the other maruti van, Gayajuddin and one person, Md. Aslam of Lilong Mayai Leikai.

The two drivers were arrested by observing formalities and they along with the seized items were handed over to Customs Preventive Force, Moreh and police are still on process to identify and arrest the other party involved identified as Aslam, added Ibomcha.

Stating that the police department is working at its best level to stop illegal activities and crimes in the state, the SP said public cooperation is required in conducting their duties.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 12

Parental family of late Mirnalini and locals of Heirangei Thong Awang Maibam Leikai tried to storm at the Imphal police station demanding that the arrested husband, mother-in-law and the husband’s brother of Mirnalini be handed over to them.

Longjam Ongbi Mirnalini (24), wife of L. Rabichandra of Keishamthong Maning Longjam Leikai was found dead reportedly by hanging in her own bedroom on last Sunday night and her parental family alleged her husband and mother-in-law for killing her and staging the murder as suicide.

Police stopped them at Moirangkhom area and only a few members including mother of the deceased were allowed to witness the three arrested individuals.

According to the deceased’s mother, police assured her that the investigation of the case will be completed as soon as possible.

Parents of the deceased alleged that the mother-in-law used to torture and harass her from time to time and due to which she had returned back home and stayed for some time before her husband came and took Mirnalini back to their home earlier.

They claimed that in the morning of that particular day when the incident happened,  Mirnalini visited their parental home along with her two years old child in a scooter.

Mentioned may be made that post-mortem of the deceased women was conducted yesterday with full video coverage at RIMS morgue in the presence of duty magistrate.

Heated exchange took place between the locals and parental family of the deceased and maternal family members at RIMS Morgue complex when the maternal family tried to claimed the body for last ritual.

Moreover the parental family members pelted stones toward the four wheeler vehicle which took away the mother-in-law from the place.

From A Correspondent

NEW DELHI | Dec 12

In an effort that could provide the much needed impetus to campaign for waste segregation at source across the country, Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) Manipur and Gangtok Municipal Corporation(GMC) of Sikkim along with 18 municipalities from 11 other Indian states joins their hands and floated a ‘Forum of cities that Segregate’ on Tuesday.

The other municipal bodies include Bangaluru, Panchghani, Indore, Allappuzha, East Delhi, New Delhi (NDMC), Amdavad, Bobillli, Bhopal, Gurugram, Thiruvanthapuram, Mysuru, Bhagat, Patna, Greater Hyderabad, Gaya, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Vajiapur, etc.

The joining of these two Municipal bodies in the forum was came to light when New Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE),an NGO set up to disseminate information about science and environment launched the ‘Forum of Cities that Segregate’ during a function following stakeholder’s meet cum media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday evening.

“The main agenda of this forum is to give participating cities a platform for exchanging knowledge on solid waste management (SWM),”says deputy director, General Chandra Bhushan of CSE. “We hope that the cities in the forum would become pioneers in terms of SWM and guide other cities on technical, economic and social aspects of managing their waste.”

The said 20 Municipal bodies from 13 states have also pledged to achieve the target of 100 per cent segregation and fulfill the vision of clean India by 2019. CSE is also planning to assist these Municipalities on building their capacity, according to program manager, Swati Singh Sambyal of CSE.

In terms of actions initiated by the Forum cities, many – including NDMC and the SDMC, Bhopal, Imphal etc — have started door to door collection of waste.

CSE director, General Sunita Narain said that from collection to disposal of waste,cities are struggling to implement an affordable and sustainable model. On the other hand, the amount of waste generated is increasing every day. Urban India alone generates a gigantic 1.5 lakh metric tonnes per day of municipal solid waste; this amount goes up by 5 per cent every year. Bazar officer, Atish Rai of GMC Sikkim and assistant commissioner of IMC Thoudam Sony also attended the event.

IMPHAL | Dec 12

Thadou Students’ Association, General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) has strongly condemned the burning of the house of Lhunkhomang Baite by unknown miscreants on December 7. Lhunkhomang was reportedly arrested by the police in connection with the Sugnu double murder case on May 5 and released recently, said a release. 

It also stated that TSA-GHQ is seriously concerned that no arrest has been made in connection with the murder of 21-year-old woman, Cicilia Nengkhokim Haokip, who was found brutally murdered at Muoltinchan village road junction near Sugnu on May 5 after being allegedly gang-raped.  

A Memorandum of Understanding signed between the joint action committee and the government representatives, including the local MLA of Chandel, who is also the minister for WR and YAS, on May 6, had assured justice in the case. However justice is still eluded. It has emerged that the case has been transferred from Sugnu Police to Kakching Police, but this has not yielded any significant progress in finding justice, said the release.

We wonder why the police have not made any arrest so far in connection with the heinous crime. There is a growing suspicion that there is a deep conspiracy. It is high time that the authority act expeditiously and bring justice without any further delay, otherwise there is a strong possibility of public outrage, said TSA in the release.  It also stated that as the case has been delayed for so long, it is now necessary to be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for speedy justice. 

TSA has appealed the government to deliver justice at the earliest, otherwise the students’ association may be compelled for strong agitation, said the release.

CCPUR | Dec 12

The Assam Rifles of Churachandpur town distributed essential commodities to the inmates of the Blessed Home for Aged People located at Lajangphai, Churachandpur. The team not only interacted with old aged women at the Centre but also assured them to fulfil their needs in future. The old aged women also conveyed their blessings and wishes for Christmas to all the troops of AR.

IMPHAL | Dec 12

Education minister, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said that the Kala Utsav is a platform especially for the students to promote and showcase the artistic talent along with education to inscribe in them the quality of completeness of being a good human.

The minister was speaking at the Closing Function cum Prize Distribution Function of State Level Kala Utsav 2017 organised by the State Implementation Society of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Manipur under the national theme ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat (One India, Great India)’ at MFSDS hall, Palace Compound.

The Utsav witnessed huge participation by students from districts of Manipur. Students who had been qualified in the district level competed at the state level today in different categories of music, dance, theatre and visual arts to qualify for the National Level Kala Utsav 2017 to be held at Bhopal.

Lauding the students and the teachers for the hard work and dedication, the minister said that it gave him immense pleasure to witness the students’ beautiful and lively performance. It is very important that one learns to focus and concentrate in life to achieve their goal, he added.

Further he stated that the Kala Utsav is a big opportunity for the students to learn many new things of working in teams, sacrificial spirit and hard work enhancing the various skills to bring an overall development, and also a chance to meet each other.

The Function was also attended by principal secretary of Education (S), Vineet Joshi, director of Education (S), Thokchom Kirankumar Singh and E/O additional state project director of RMSA, Manipur, L. Nandakumar Singh, along with officials of the Education department, teacher and students.

It may be mentioned that Kala Utsav is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under RMSA started in the year 2015, to promote arts in education to let the students recognises the importance of aesthetics and artistic experiences. The festival plays a major role in creating awareness of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The initiative is guided by the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF 2005).

IMPHAL | Dec 12

No power or force in the world can disintegrate Manipur if the people of the state stand united, said chief minister, N. Biren Singh at the observation of Nupi Lal Day, held at Nupi Lal Memorial Complex, Imphal today.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, the CM stated that people of the state should never allow any chance to divide the state and make sure to stay away from divide and rule politics. He continued that there should be no differences among the various communities towards bringing unity and integrity of the state.

He reiterated that various rumours, observations, speculations have brought tension among the people of the entire northeast and Manipur in particular these days. In such a situation, womenfolk have a crucial role and responsibility to stabilise the situation, he added.

‘We have been living with certain imagination, speculation and mistrust among us for a long period of time. We need to stand together irrespective of political and community affiliation for better and prosperous Manipur’, said N. Biren.

Calling out to the people especially the womenfolk of the state, the CM said that every person of the state should urge the centre and present the standpoint and opinion for a stable, peaceful and better Manipur. He said that the government cannot do it all alone and needs love and support of the people. All the stakeholders whether it is armed rebel groups or any group should take part in bringing a permanent solution in entire northeast and Manipur, he added.

Biren also stated that the new government has already started working towards bringing a ‘new Manipur’. With the love and support of the people, the state is also experiencing no bandh in the last 7-8 months, he added.

Lauding the role and sacrifices of Manipuri women, the CM said that people should always remember the courage and selfless sacrifices of the brave women who fought against the mighty British Empire in 1904 and 1939.

He also appealed the women of Manipur to come out and lend their support in bringing peace and tranquillity in the state. Manipuri women’s role in the removal of the Assam Rifles from the sacred Kangla in 2004, against Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1957 and withdrawing of AFSPA from IMC areas of the state is commendable and would always be remembered, he added.

The CM led the people in offering floral tributes to the memorial statues. A drama on ‘Nupi Lal’ was also staged by Nupi Lal Memorial Association and Nupi Lal and Khongjom War Memorial Society to mark the occasion.

Minister for Agriculture, V. Hangkhanlian, minister for Power, PWD, Th. Biswajit, minister for Forest and Environment, Th. Shyamkumar, minister for Education, Th. Radheshyam, minister for Social Welfare, Nemcha Kipgen, chairman of Hill Area Committee, T.T. Haokip, chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board, L. Radhakishore, chairman of MANIDCO, Dr. Y. Radheshyam, chairman of Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited, Dr. Sapam Ranjan, former Union Minister, Th. Chaoba and other top civil and police officials attended the function.

IMPHAL | Dec 12

Today is an important day in the history of Manipur, said minster of Information and Public Relations, Thongam Biswajit Singh while attending ‘Nupi Lal Ningshing Thouram’, held at the MMRC and Unity Park, Khangabok.

Addressing the function, the minister stressed on the importance of the Nupi Lal movement and the Manipuri women’s role in bringing political and economic reforms in Manipur.

Observing that the Manipuri women has never shied away from standing up against any form of injustice, the minister added that even today the womenfolk of Manipur continue to be at the forefront against social injustice.

Minister Biswajit also deliberated on the importance of women’s active participation in development of a society and also stated about women’s active participation in many aspects of today’s society.

‘We call our country, our motherland, and the mother is the beginning of everything’, said Biswajit.

He further said people have seen the past and live in the present, now it is time make the future. The young students gathered today should understand that they are the future of the society, and they will replace the older generation one day, he added.

He also advised the students to understand the difference between their dreams and aim. He said that dreams require effortless sleep, while to achieve one’s aim it requires sleepless effort. Without hard work and patience we cannot achieve success, he continued.

The minister also said that Manipur has a rich cultural heritage as well as talent in sports, and understanding the sporting talent of the state, the Prime Minister had assured for setting up of a sports university in the state.

The observance was also attended by minister of Education, Labour and Employment, Thokchom Radhesyam Singh as president, MLA of Wangjing Tentha assembly constituency, P. Brojen Singh, deputy commissioner of Thoubal, L. Nabakeshwor, Zilla Parishad, Khangabok, Kh. Rajmohan Singh and Zilla Parishad, Sangaiyumpham, Md. Hibjur Rahaman as guests of honour.

Earlier in the day, minister Biswajit along with minister Radheshyam unveiled a Nupi Lal Statue.

IMPHAL | Dec 12

The proscribed Kangliepak Communist Party (People’s War Group) has banned all sorts of artificial fairs and festivals including melas from being organised in the state. 

While a war of independence is currently being fought against the neo-imperialist India, one can observe that there is an incoming flood of fairs and festivals in this state, said a release signed by secretary, central media coordinator, Lenin Meitei. Many oppressed people of the world are raising their voices for self independence, it said. However, at a crucial moment in time when we cannot determine if our communities are still surviving or heading towards extinction, there is an ongoing trend of holding fairs and festivals as if there is no tomorrow, it maintained. It is most unfortunate that the people seem to be encouraging such activities, it added.  

People’s War Group-Marxist Center has observed that there is an agenda to distract the people’s revolutionary war for independence, it said. These artificial festivities like Melas take a key role in fulfilling the said agenda, it added.  People’s War Group-Marxist Center considers them as war tactics of Indian cultural colonialism; it said adding melas encourages gambing, and other illicit and immoral activities. There are reports of Mela owners sexually exploiting young girls and married women and 70 percent of the income from melas is taken outside the state, it further said. This exploits the economic –socio culture of the community, it added. 

Therefore the party appeals to those who are organising such melas to put an end to it immediately, it said. The party has banned All Manipur Mela Lup and the organising committee of Singju Festival, the release informed. The release warned that if any information about the people’s militia is shared to the machinery forces of Neo imperialist India, causing harm by going against the given warnings, then they will not be spared, it added.