Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Manipur’s gold rush continues: Guwahati, Jan 31: Judokas and weightlifters continue to provide maximum number of gold medals to Manipur's kitty as the 22nd North East Games completed the second day on Thursday. As per official report Manipur is leading the medals' race on 24 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals with Assam level on the silver and bronze medal count but five less in terms of gold medal. Tripura is in third place with a total of 10 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze medals. The State judo team wrested seven gold and one silver medal today taking the total to nine gold, and two silver and bronze each. L Sushila (44kg/W), L Sandhyarani (48kg/W), N Santimala (52kg/W), H Ichal (56kg/W), T Rajesh (56kg/M), NK Romen (60kg/M) and T Paksana (75kg/M) won their respective final bouts as Ajit secured the men's 66kg silver medal. While the weightlifters began their campaign with three gold and two silver medals yesterday, eight more of the yellow metals were added to the tally...

Two more birds found dead at Maharabi: Imphal, Jan 31: After carcasses of seven Uchek Meishangbi (a species of Magpie) and four Khoining (Bulbul) were collected by officials of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department from Maharabi village in Imphal West district yesterday, two carcasses of Khoining and Urok were also recovered in the same area on Thursday. Speaking to The Sangai Express, Veterinary Director Dr Th Dorendra informed that a doctor of the Department will be sent to the high security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal tomorrow with samples of the dead birds collected in the last 48 hours. He said that extra preventive measures are being taken up in the State following outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal. Since the surveillance operation was launched, there has been no case of any unnatural death of chicken or duck in the State, he conveyed. Even as the Government of West Bengal has asked for veterinary experts to help in combating bird flu in West Bengal, the State De...

March deadline for Meitei Mayek signboard: Imphal, Jan 31: Stating that though the general secretary of the KYKL had issued a statement in August 2006 that all shops, institutes and organisations should display their signboard in Meitei Mayek in more than twice the size of the words written in English in the four valley districts of Manipur, in a bid to promote Meitei Mayek, the outfit on Thursday said that this instruction has not been followed by majority of the people. Recalling section 5 clause 5 of the statement issued by the general secretary in 2006, the outfit in a statement issued by its deputy secretary publicity and research said that it was made clear that the sign boards thus announced should come up by September 15, 2006. However since this has not been followed, the outfit has once again asked all concerned to abide by its earlier directives and accordingly put up their signboards in the prescribed format by March this year. Failure to do so, will invite fitting punishme...

Cong MLAs to sit together despite differences: Imphal, Jan 31: The third session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly which will have three sittings over a span of five days till February 5 will commence from Friday with the state Governor’s address to the House. An interesting point to be witnessed in Friday’s sitting of the Assembly would be ruling Congress MLAs sitting together at the treasury bench even though the leadership crisis within the party is yet to be settled. Mention may be made that the dissident MLAs of the ruling state Congress who were camping in New Delhi for nearly three months, with a few breaks, returned to the state capital to take part in the Assembly session after withdrawing their threat to boycott the session if chief minister O Ibobi Singh is not replaced. As there are no plans from the Opposition side to put up a no confidence motion against the Ibobi led SPF government despite the leadership crisis in the ruling side the session is likely to continue s...

Chandel district affected: Like in two hill districts of Manipur, Churachandpur and Tamenglong district, bamboo flowering has occurred in some parts of Chandel district. There are reports of bamboo flowering in Chandel district at Moreh, Tengnoupal and Lokchao areas but gregarious flowering of bamboo did not happen except bamboo flowering in small groups and small areas, said a Chandel newsletter. No spectacular damage to human life and its economy was encountered, the report added. Chandel district has a geographical area of 3313 square kilometers with bamboo brakes covering 212.39 square kilometers. The area is out of total 1591.93 square kilometers area covered by bamboo brakes in the state. Most of the bamboo growing areas are concentrated in Tengnoupal and Moreh sub-division and maximum flowering occurred during the year 2006-07. Maximum flowering has been detected in Moubi wa (Melocana baccifera) species. Bamboo flowering is a threat to human life, its economy and the environment...

Three more doctors, one supplier nailed: Imphal, Jan 31: Three more doctors and one supplier have been nailed by the Court in two special trial cases in connection with the 1981 medical scam under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. Case dossiers said that the convicted persons swindled over Rs 20 lakh while purchasing medical equipments by quoting exorbitant rates. The doctors convicted are identified as Dr G Mani Sharma, currently serving as Superintendent of the State's Tuberculosis Hospital, Dr T Vijoychandra Singh, Dr Pukhrambam Brajamani Singh and supplier Ashok Kumar Jain. The three doctors were convicted in two cases-Special Trial No I and Special III, while the Court convicted Ashok Kumar Jain in Special Trial No III, said Advocate P Ibomcha Singh, Special Public Prosecutor while appearing on behalf of the Government. Ibomcha said that the case was registered with the Jiribam Police station in 1982 as it fell within Jiribam sub-divis...

Body for private schools mooted: Imphal, Jan 31: With the main objective of monitoring the functioning of the private schools in the State and looking after their problems, the All Manipur Recognised Private Schools Welfare Association has mooted setting up of a committee very soon. Irrespective of whether the private schools are recognised by the Government or not, the proposed committee would also look into the teaching methodology, the number of students enrolled in each class and sections opened among other related issues. This was disclosed by general secretary of All Manipur Recognised Private Schools Welfare Association N Rameshwar Singh while addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club here on Thursday. He explained that the committee is to be set up for the sole purpose of improving the standard of education in the State. He also appealed to all the authorities and founder members of the private schools in the State to become members of the Association and extend their...

Four MU deans released after abduction: Four deans of different departments of the Manipur University were reportedly detained by some unidentified persons suspected to be cadres of an underground group early on Thursday and later released unharmed at night. The four officials who were abducted were the Dean of Humanities O Ibochou, Dean of Students Md Islamuddin, Dean of Life Sciences PS Jadav and Dean of History Mangsatabam Jiten. Reports said that they were taken into custody by the miscreants on Thursday around 5.30 am and later released at night at around 7.30 pm. The report of their release, however, could not be immediately confirmed. A highly reliable report said that they were summoned apparently in relation with some matter concerning the administration of the university by an underground group. However, there were no formal complaints to the police regarding the disappearance of the four deans. Source: The Imphal Free Press 8 women arrested for protesting on R-Day: Eight wo...

Tamenglong observes ‘Black Day’: Tamenglong, Jan 31: People in Tamenglong district suspended all work for the day and participated in the observation of "Black Day" of the Zeliangrong Region, GPRN/ NSCN-IM on Thursday. Streets in the district wore a deserted look as all kinds of vehicles including light vehicles went off the roads. Shops, business establishments and other institutions in the district headquarter also remained closed for the day showing solidarity to the observation of the black day of the NSCN (IM). Official reports said that Imphal bound passenger buses due to leave this morning were suspended and no bus from Imphal reached the district headquarter. Churches too held prayers and extended cooperation responding to the appeal of the Zeliangrong Region, GPRN/ NSCN-IM. A memorial stone to commemorate those warriors who selflessly sacrificed their lives for the Naga cause was opened at Nganping Battalion HQs of Naga Army, Buning village in Tamei sub-division of T...

Planning stir over retirement age: Imphal, Jan 31: The government college teacher community is contemplating to launch a stir if the teachers’ demands for increasing the age of superannuation to 62 years as per UGC norms and filling up of vacancies continue to be ignored by the government. Informing this to mediapersons at the Manipur Press Club on Thursday, P Laingam, president, All Manipur College Teachers Association said the demand for raising the age of superannuation to 62 for college teachers is a long-standing demand, but despite being aware that the teachers` demand is justified, the government has been sidelining the matter. The teachers` demand is that all components of established UGC norms in respect of higher education should be implemented in Manipur, he stated. He also noted that in 23 states of the country, the age of superannuation for colleges and university teachers has been increased from 60 to 62 and even 65 years. This is true of all the north-east states except...

AJFMC alleges disparity in fund allotment: Imphal, Jan 31: The All Joint Forest Management Committee (AJFMC), Tamenglong district, has alleged the existence of imbalance in the allotment of funds under the Central Government's National Bamboo Mission (NBM) in the hill districts of Manipur and urged the concerned Department to take up remedial measures. The AJFMC has alleged that under the NBM, which is implemented through the State Forest Department agency (FDA), there is disparity in the allotment of schemes hectare wise. It pointed out that, out of the total 4000 hectares targeted in the whole State, only 500 hectares have been allotted to the western Tamenglong division though it is considered as the only 'bamboo district' among all hill districts of the State. Out of the 4000 hectares targeted area, 600 hectares have been allotted to the eastern Ukhrul Forest division where no traces of bamboo are seen, it alleged. As per the FDA allotment, the northern Kangpokpi divisi...

Rebel MLAs return for Assembly session: Imphal, Jan 30: The dissident Congress MLAs who were lobbying with the party high command for a change in the state CLP leadership returned to Imphal on Wednesday, exuding confidence of a successful conclusion to their campaign to oust Okram Ibobi Singh in the near future. Barring MPCC chief Gaikhangam and minister DD Thaisii, all the dissident MLAs, 14 in number, flew into Imphal this afternoon on an Air India flight. The dissident MLAs came back in the state only to attend the budget session of the state Assembly which is due to commence on February 1 and their return does not mean an end to their campaign for replacing Ibobi as chief minister, said a source in the dissident camp. Before leaving the national capital, they submitted representations to the Congress high command urging to settle the crisis within the party at the earliest. The MLAs who have returned include FCS minister, Y Erabot Singh and Congress chief whip, Mangibabu. Other ML...

Migratory birds drop dead like nine pins: Imphal, Jan 30: Even as a red alert has been sounded all over the country following the outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal on January 15, which has affected 13 of its 19 districts so far, caution has been sounded following the death of at least seven migratory birds, probably Gold Magpie, at Maharabi near Sekmai in Imphal West district during the last 48 hours. Moreover four Bulbuls (Khoining) were also found dead during the same period. This information was conveyed to The Sangai Express on Wednesday evening by the villagers of Maharabi. The Sangai Express then passed on the information to the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department. A team of media persons and a team from the VAH led by Dr K Gopal, the State Nodal Officer on Avian Influenza then rushed to the said place on Wednesday evening. Giving details, the vice president of Maharabi Youth Club, K Shyamchand said that the six migratory birds dropped dead from the trees in the village ...

Bad news predicted for NE: Shillong, Jan 30: With the avian flu spreading fast in West Bengal, panic gripped Meghalaya today following a prediction by researchers about a possible "massive outbreak" of the disease in the North East. A "prediction map" prepared by research associate Dr Dibyendu Adhikari and Arun Chettri of the Department of Botany, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), which was made public today, claimed that some areas in Northeastern region were vulnerable to the H5N1 virus. The map also highlighted areas in West Bengal, which has already been affected by the outbreak of the virus, and most districts of Bangladesh which had a "suitable environment for proliferation of the bird flu". Though the map covers potential risk zones of bird flu in almost all Northeastern States, including Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram, the hilly areas in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have been identified as lower-risk zone. Adhikari and Chettri...

Imphal to host annual concert: Imphal, Jan 30: The tiny island of Jamaica may be thousands and thousands of miles away from the North East, but come February 6, Imphal, the capital city of Manipur will join with the Caribbean Island in celebrating the music and life of Bob Marley, its most legendary son. As the 13th anniversary special 'Exodus the Bob Marley tribute' crosses borders for the very first time, taking the event from Meghalaya to Manipur, it would be held on February 6 at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen here at Imphal. The gates to the musical extravaganza would be thrown open at 5 pm sharp. The Bob Marley tribute is a musical celebration in honour of the reggae legend, Bob Marley. Inspired by the words and music of Bob Marley, this annual event was started by Springboard Surprises way back in 1996 in Shillong. The only musical event of its kind in the country, the Bob Marley tribute made a debut with the audience of reggae and Marley lovers from Shillong and Gu...

Pangsau fest may set the platform: Nampong, Jan 30: The recently held Pangsau Pass winter festival at Nampong village of Changalang district Arunachal Pradesh has a remarkable historical significance and celebrates the true relationship between the Burmese and the local people. The festival kicked off on January 20 with the striking of the traditional gong by DoTC chairman Phusum Kimhun and singing of `We stand and sing for peace and unity` to send a clear message that the people crave for peace in the insurgency affected Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The PPWF was organised with an objective to rebuild the age old relationship between the people of Arunachal Pradesh and nieghbouring Myanmar. The festival was termed as the gateway to the hidden paradise of Arunachal Pradesh, and it was able to showcase the tribes of the state. For the first time, the locals, Myanmarese and the guests witnessed such a huge gathering of tribes belonging to different parts of Arunachal Pradesh, ...

North East Games begin: Guwahati, Jan 30: Strong title contender Manipur began its campaign in the 22nd North East Games on a bright note grabbing seven gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals in athletics while both the women and men's teams tasted success in football competitions here on Wednesday. The State's medal hunt began with Ch Sonia claiming the women's 1500 metre race in 5:00.16 seconds before M Priya added the second yellow metal by emerging as the region's fastest women with a timing of 12.02 seconds in the 100 metre competition. Two gold medals won in judo competition by Semion kamei (men's open) N Bina Devi (62 kg) and three in weightlifting from Kh Khogen (56 kg), M Rita (48 kg) and Kh Bidyapati (53 kg) further bulged the medal haul. The silver medallists are Ph Nanao (1500), S Binodini (javelin), ksh Romika (5000 mtr), W Somarjit (men's 5000 mtr) in athletics; Ch Karishma (40 kg-judo), T Bobo (56 kg/WL), N Sumanbala 58 kg/WL) . A Surbala (100...

Anti-Leprosy Day observed: As in other parts of the country, Anti-Leprosy Day was observed on Wednesday to coincide with the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhiji in remembrance of the works done by him during his lifetime for the welfare of Leprosy patients at the hall of Leprosy Control Unit of Thoubal District Leprosy Society. Along with offering floral tributes to the photograph of Gandhiji, a one minute silence was observed. The main objective of the observance was to spread awareness among the people and encourage them to join hands in eradicating leprosy disease. Four persons who have been cured from the scourge of Leprosy were also felicitated with gifts at the occasion. The All Manipur Medical Department Leprosy Employees Association, AMMDLEA observed the "Anti Leprosy Day 2008 at the Leprosy Hospital, Lei-Ingkhol today at 10.30 am. The observation was marked by the distribution of gifts like blanket, fruits, etc. to the leprosy patients. As part of Anti-Leprosy week `08 observat...

Sabitri Heisnam, Dr. Jayanta Kumar honoured: Veteran theatre actress Sabitri Heisnam and renowned figure in the field of medicine Dr. A. Jayanta Kumar Singh from Manipur were among those 71 named for India's civilian honour of Padma Shri for the year 2008 announced ahead of the country's Republic Day. Born in 1946, Sabitri Heisnam is a veteran theatre actress from Manipur whose outstanding works are a proof of her lifelong commitment to theatre and performance. She is the wife of the internationally renowned theatre director Kanhailal Heisnam but it would be proper to say that she is a name equally well- known and respected as her husband among the connoisseurs of theatre. Sabitri was first introduced into the field of performing arts by her aunt, C. Gouramani Devi who was a distinguished actress in her own right. She began her acting career at the age of seven and toured the villages in Manipur as a child artiste in Elangbam Joychandra’s traveling opera troupe called National ...

'Leader' snubs, rebels fume: Imphal, Jan 27: In what could be a significant gesture, Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra who is being projected by the dissident Congress MLAs as their leader has snubbed the rebel camp. With Debendra refusing to heed the call to come to Delhi on Sunday and instead go to Jiribam, the rebel MLAs are literally fuming. In the back drop of the new development, the rebel MLAs have convened an emergency meeting on Monday. Some senior leaders of the dissident group noted that the failure of Thoudam Debendra to respond to the call of the AICC to come to Delhi is tantamount to humiliating and betraying the rebel MLAs. "He will certainly reap the outcome of his act of betrayal very soon," they asserted. The alleged act of Debendra to concede to the reported enticement of the Chief Minister with the portfolio of Finance Minister and various other benefits amount to cheating the people of Manipur, the rebel MLAs fumed. The Law Minister...

State braves boycott, drizzle to celebrate R-Day: Imphal: Boycott call by insurgent outfits and the chill generated by the January rain failed to dampen the spirit of the country's 59th Republic Day celebration as an impressive crowd thronged Kangla Fort to witness the riot of colour on Saturday. The celebration culminated with the Beating of the Retreat programme at 1st Manipur Rifles ground on Sunday afternoon with Governor Dr SS Sidhu gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Prizes to position winning march past contingents, cultural troupes and schools were also distributed by the Governor. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh took the salute from the march past contingents, which official report put at 64 security forces, NCC and schools, and 14 cultural troupes apart from taleaux of nine departments highlighting acheivements and policy/programme of the Government. Soon after arrival for the function a contingent of Manipur Women Police under the command of Miss Puspanjali (IPS) a...

'Kangla Food products safe for health': All the products of the Kangla Food are safe for health and nature friendly, claimed its proprietor Akhom Birendra. Speaking to reporters at its factory premises at Nambol Chingmang Phoijing on Sunday, Birendra conveyed that in addition to the Assam State Public Health Laboratory report which said that seven items of the Kangla Food products are safe for health, the Manipur Pollution Control Board, after inspecting its oven, has also declared that the factory is not hazardous to environment. At present, the Kangla Food is producing 22 different items. Out of these, the most popular seven items were sent for laboratory test, Birendra said. Full Story: Indians freed from Myanmar: Four Indians who have been imprisoned in Myanmar for a long time were freed on Sunday and handed over to Moreh police station. They have been brought to Imphal. The four Indian prisoners who were freed are identified as Lal Bahadur (35) s/o Anil Bahadur of Murshida...

Employees accuse buying of second-hand item: Imphal, Jan 27: The Loktak Development Authority (LDA) has been accused of purchasing a worn out dredging machine at a rate fitting brand new ones after repairing them. The worn out machine was lying unused at Chilka Lake, Orissa. In this connection, the LDA Employees and Workers’ Association has decided to launch an agitation against the LDA management for allegedly violating the agreement it signed with the association. Briefing media persons at Manipur Press Club on Sunday, general secretary of the association T Ravi disclosed that the worn out machine already laid off in Chilka Lake was sold to the LDA after repairing by TAMAC company at Rs 2.9 lakh. However, the LDA claimed that the machine was bought at Rs 20 lakhs, asserted Ravi. Even as Rs 20 crores was sanctioned to the LDA in 2007 to remove Phumdis from Loktak Lake, there has been little progress in this regard. For removing a chunk of Phumdi or an isolated piece, the LDA often rel...