Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Marriage bill sent to House Committee for scrutiny: The Manipur Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill, 2008, has been referred to a select committee of the state Legislative Assembly for further examination after a threadbare discussion in the House on Tuesday. The Bill was moved for consideration and passage in the House on Tuesday afternoon by social welfare minister N Loken Singh The minister, in his address highlighted the main objectives of the Bill, stating that enacting of this act would prevent child marriage and ensure adherence to a minimum age of marriage, prevent marriages without consent of both parties, relieve many of the difficulties faced by women left after marriage by their husbands, and give widows the right to inherit the properties of her husband and also check illegal practice of polygamy. Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam and senior opposition member O Joy noted that the there were no penal provision in the Bill, and the whole structure of the Bill appears...

KLASA, TRUGPU in Loktak trophy final: Moirang, Feb 5: KLASA and TRUGPU entered the final of the ongoing 1st Loktak trophy 2008 organised by AMOFA Moirang at Moirang Multipurpose ground here on Tuesday. In the semifinal matches on Tuesday, KLASA laboured to a hard-fought 6-5 win against MBSU, Wahengbam via tie-breakers after normal time ended with both sides scoring two goals each while TRUGPU recorded a comfortable 3-1 win over KRYPSA, Naoremthong. Naoton opened the TRUGPU score with a goal in the sixth minute followed by Boynao extending the lead in the 28th. Even though KRYPSA's James pulled one back with a 37th minute strike, Naoton regained the lead for the Nambol side in the 42nd minute. Earlier, in the KLASA versus MBSU clash, Gandhi found the MBSU opener in the 15th minute which was neutralised by Kenedy four minutes later only to see Inaocha restore the MBSU lead in the 44th. Disilung struck in the 67th minute for the Keinou side to take the match into the penalty shoot-out...

HC issues warrants to three senior Govt. officials: Imphal, Feb 5: Acting on a contempt petition, the Gauhati High Court has issued bailable warrants of arrest to three senior Government officials Principal Secretaries DS Poonia and DV Singh and Chief Engineer (Power) M Sanatomba Singh. The court headed by Justices T Nandakumar Singh and PK Musahary on Tuesday issued the warrants for personal bond of Rs 5000 to the trio for their personal appearance before the same court on February 19 . A copy of the order has also been send to the State Director General of Police (DGP) for execution of the warrant. Despite receiving he earlier contempt notices by the respondents, none appeared for them without showing any cause, the court ruled. This contempt case followed after the respondents failed to comply with an earlier Court's ruling passed on April 18, 2006 . It asked the respondents to regularise the post of the petitioner Aribam Rajendra Sharma to Assistant Engineer in the Electricity ...

JAC rejects public hearing: Imphal, Feb 5: Contending that the arrangement being made by the State Government to conduct a public hearing in connection with the proposal of setting up NIT at Langol Lamphelpat on February 7 is unreasonable, chairman of JAC for Protection of Residential Area and Preservation of Lamphelpat Wetlands, Kim Gangte has expressed apprehension of a hidden agenda in the move of the Government. Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here on Tuesday afternoon, Kim Gangte said that the notification issued by the State Government through a local English newspaper only on January 18 announcing the public hearing at DC Imphal West on February 7 and invitation for written objection from those who oppose the construction of NIT at Langol was unreasonable and unacceptable. Recalling that on numerous occasions the JAC had called upon the Government of Manipur for conducting public hearings in connection with the proposal of setting up NIT at...

DM students lodge novel protest: Imphal, Feb 5: Lodging a novel protest, perhaps the first of its kind in Manipur, the DM College Students' Union collected the dirt and garbage piled up inside their campus as well as at the entry gate of the institution and dumped them in front of Congress Bhawan and at the gate of the Education Minister L Jayanta, at Pishumthong on Monday night. Talking to The Sangai Express the students said that they were constrained to dump the garbage in front of the powers that be as repeated appeals to remove the same had fallen on deaf ears. The students further said that one of them was pulled up by the police on Tuesday, but he was released later. A case has also been registered with the Singjamei police station, they said and added that they strongly condemn the act. A short rally was also taken out today to condemn the case lodged by the police against the students, they added. Meanwhile in a statement the student body said that in spite of urging the G...

Bird-flu result negative: A bird-flu awareness campaign was organised by Joint Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry on Tuesday at Moirang Lamkhai following reports of death of fowls in the area. Blood samples from five bulbuls were collected for testing even as samples from other poultries could not be collected as the dead fowls were not available. Meanwhile, results of the samples from the dead Magpies collected from Maharabi were found negative. The results have come from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal. Unity Team in Dimapur: The team which has embarked on a tour on the theme of Love, Peace and Unity has reached Dimapur, said a statement by the organising body, Young Horizon, on Tuesday. The rallyists who were flagged off on January 30 from Kangla to promote peace, love and unity amongst the people was welcomed by the Naga community of Nagaland Naga community of Nagaland with love and encouraging words, said the statement. The Manipur Cultural Society, Kohi...

Security forces strike it rich: Imphal, Feb 5: Security forces have arrested five activists, including three PREPAK cadres and two PULF men in the last 48 hours. According to a statement of the SP (IW) Clay Khongsai a commando team acted swiftly upon receiving information of unknown miscreants attacking the Keishamthong Moirangningthou Leirak residence of Executive Engineer of Education (S) Department's Engineering Cell Yumnam Deben Singh at around 8.20 pm on Monday. While the commandos arrested one Koijam Warjit Singh (s/o) (L) K Yaima of Thongju Part-I Pheija Leitong from the incident site, three others managed to evade arrest. Describing Warjit as active member of the PREPAK, the SP said that one mobile phone (Nokia 6681) handset bearing No 9436871856 and paper chit having mobile phone No 9856907147 of Mukhesh (PREPAK) from was impounded from him. The mobile phone contained two sound clippings of a telephonic conversation between Warjit and one Khuman of PREPAK with the latter i...

Contractors decide to stop work: Lamka, Feb 5: The Khuga Multipurpose Project Contractors and Sub Contractors Association said on Tuesday that it has lost confidence, trust and faith in the state government as it had failed to carry out the commitments made to them. The association said it is constrained to impose a total and indefinite ban on the ongoing works on all components of the Khuga dam from the 5th of this month. The association has decided to impose a complete ban on the ongoing works along the Tiddim road diversion that are being undertaken with NEC funding if the demands they are making are not fulfilled. It said they had agreed with the government on January 12 at the Dam IB for the release of Rs. 1 crore without fail by January 20 and for the creation of special Tiddim road diversion funds. It went on to say that on many occasions they had agreed to do this or that but it never materialised and they were jilted time and again. It further said this time around they would ...

O Joy raises issue, flays Mail Today report: Imphal, Feb 4: The issue of sexual harassment and racial discrimination against people from the north-east in New Delhi figured in discussions in the state Assembly on Monday with veteran Opposition MLA O Joy raising a calling attention motion on the matter. The MLA, apparently prompted by the appearance of a report appearing in a New Delhi newspaper that made sweeping slurs on northeastern girls, expressed his extreme concern over the biased and predatory attitude towards women from the north east that appears to be prevailing in the National Capital. Raising the calling attention motion, the MLA pointed out that only recently there had been a case of sexual abuse and harassment of two girls from Manipur at Gandhi Vihar in Delhi by over two dozen people. Citing other cases, he said that there had been a case of rape of a north eastern girl at Delhi’s Nehru Vihar on June 4, 2007, and another case of rape and murder in Vijaynagar the same yea...

Opposition MLAs tear apart Governor’s address: Imphal, Feb 4: The debate on the motion of thanks to the address of the Governor of Manipur to the house began on Monday, with Opposition MLAs picking large holes in the achievements claimed on behalf of the Congress-led SPF government. The discussion on the motion of thanks for the Governor’s Address was moved during the morning session by MLA E Kunjeswar Singh and seconded by MLA N. Mangi Singh from the treasury bench. The mover claimed that the Governor’s Address, given on the first day of the Assembly session reflects every aspect of the developmental activities taken up by the state government and its future plans. However, criticism of the Governor’s Address started coming thick and fast from the Opposition MLAs. Opposition leader MLA, Radhabinod Koijam led the way, pointing out that the Governor`s Address in the House has failed to mention the policies and steps that the state government need to adopt to take advantage of the Look E...

Assam Regimental Centre lift title: Imphal, Feb 4: Assam Regimental Centre (ARC), Shillong rallied from a goal down to outlast Manipur Police sports Club (MPSC) 5-2 in the final match of the 10th Dr Kanti Mukherjee Memorial Invitation Hockey Tournament at the Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium on Monday. After conceding a goal only six minutes into the game when MPSC's N Gunamani converted a penalty corner, ARC came back strongly with four goals before the local side pulled back one on Gunamani's second in the 51st minute. However, the commanding lead was restored when Thanga struck his second of the match in the 64th minute, his first coming in the 21st.The other ARc scorers are Y Holendro (12th) and M Arunkumar (19th, 49th). The champions walked away with the top booty of Rs 30,000 and the running trophy handed over by Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh. While the runners-up prize was worth Rs 10,000, scorer of the match winner Thanga was adjudged the best player of the tournament carry...

Aribam Shyam conferred V Shantaram award: New Delhi, Feb 4: Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma has been selected for the V Shantaram Award for lifetime achievement in documentary film making. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 10th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films 2008, announced his name for the award amidst huge applause at the inauguration of the festival in Mumbai on Sunday night. The award carrying a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh, a citation and a shawl instituted by the Films Division, ministry of information and broadcasting will be conferred on February 9. It is for the first time in the history of Mumbai International Film Festival (MIIF) that a person from north east India has been awarded the prestigious award. Bhagwan Das Garga was the first recipient of the V Shantaram Award for Life Time Achievement in the field of documentary in MIFF 1996 and other recipie...

Medical staff avoiding posting to distant areas: Imphal, Feb 4: The state health minister Ph Parijat admitted in the state Assembly on Monday that the transfer and posting policy for medical department personnel of the state government has been less than a success. Responding to questions posed by Opposition MLAs in the Assembly, the minister said doctors and nurses transferred to distance places very often evinced strong reluctance to join their posts. Sickness is a claim very frequently made as an excuse not to join such distant posts, the minister quipped. Answering questions posed by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, Parijat said action is being taken up within the framework of the National Health Policy for infrastructure strengthening of various health care centres in both the hills and the valley, including construction of buildings for PHCs and PHSCs where they do not yet exist. He also noted that the bill for creation of a state nursing council has already been passed by the Assembly, and rule...

12 hr state bandh comes into force on Tuesday: Imphal, Feb 4: Demanding the safe release of AE Naorem Keshwar Singh from the custody of the armed outfit PULF, the JAC formed against the abduction has called a State wide 12-hour general strike with effect from 5 am on Tuesday. A resident of Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai, AE Keswar who is attached with the Kakchig sub-division of Electricity Department was abducted by armed cadres of PULF from his office on January 31. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister on Monday, the JAC gave 12 noon Tuesday as the deadline for securing the safe release of the abducted engineer. Otherwise, a State wide general strike which would cover even essential services would be called, the JAC had announced. In protest against the abduction, the Manipur Electricity Employees' Union, Kakching Branch staged a dharna in front of the gate of the head office of the Electricity Department here on Monday. Apart from Meira Paibis from Kakching area and M...

Basic infrastructure lacking: Imphal, Feb 4: Marred by inordinate delay in installing the necessary infrastructure for the much hyped National Sports Academy, the highly coveted Academy, like many other projects taken up in the State, has stumbled on its first step. In fact, the sports loving people of Manipur are expecting nothing less than an impetus forceful enough to propel the sports movement of the State to a higher level compatible with international standard from the Academy. But the Academy as it stands today has belied all hopes and expectations. Yet, efforts are on to install the necessary infrastructure within this year. Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Boby Waikhom noted that the National Sports Academy is one of the most coveted institutions in Manipur. Just as much as the people value this Academy, they are expecting a lot from the Academy, he observed. The National Sports Academy Imphal opened last year. Of the 60 students of the Academy's first batch, nine were...

Women killed in New Samtal blast: In a tragic incident, three women were killed when a bomb exploded while they were working under the NREGS programme at New Samtal area in Chandel district at about 12 noon on Monday. The incident took place while the women were clearing the road. The three victims have been identified as Lhingkhonem (45), Hoikim Guite (45) and Paumeng Haokip (43). Many others were injured in the bomb blast. Nurses retract: Following the assurance given by the Health and Family Welfare Minister to consider at least some of the demands of the striking nurses after the end of the ongoing Assembly session, Nurses Association of Manipur has called off its cease work strike with effect from Monday. The decision to call off the cease work strike was taken after a serious deliberation on the assurance of the Health Minister during an emergency meeting of the general body of the Association, its general secretary N Memchoubi Devi informed. The cease work strike would remain su...

Protestors’ march to Assembly stopped: Imphal, Feb 4: Protestors who were marching toward the Assembly demanding immediate withdrawal of the move being made by the State Government to acquire over 512 acres of land from Malom and its surrounding area in connection with the proposed expansion of Tulihal Airport were stopped by the police leading to a confrontation and traffic jam at Keishampat Junction here on Monday. In case the Government fails to come up with a definite stand on the issue at the earliest possible, the JAC formed in this connection has threatened to step up its stir along with the support of other social organisations. Responding to the call of the JAC Against Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Expansion of Imphal Tulihal Airport, a large number of protestors started marching toward the Assembly from Kwakeithel Bazar area at around 12.30 pm on Monday. As the slogan shouting protestors carrying placards with inscribed slogans like 'No to expansion of Airport...

Private motion in Assembly defeated: Imphal, Feb 4: A private member resolution moved by MPP MLA Dr Ng Bijoy to set up an authority for development of greater Imphal area was defeated in the State Assembly on Monday as the MLA himself withdrew his motion later. Raising the private member resolution, Ng Bijoy asserted that as the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is focusing its activities only in Imphal city area, it would certainly facilitate development of greater Imphal area if a body like Greater Imphal Development Authority is set up. The PDA is concentrating its development activities in Imphal city within an area of just 87.45 sq kms leaving out greater Imphal area which covers about 135.27 sq kms. He also urged the Government to issue a notice which would help the PDA to expand its area of activities in greater Imphal area. Bijoy also appealed to the House to pass a Bill in this regard. Endorsing the private member resolution, MLA O Joy emphasised on the need to develop ...

Police seize truckload of chicks smuggled from Assam: Imphal, Feb 3: With a ban imposed on the import of poultry and poultry products from outside the state in view of the bird flu outbreak in West Bengal, the Patsoi police seized altogether 6120 chicks which were being brought in from Assam along NH-53 on Sunday afternoon. According to reports, the chicks were meant to be delivered to one Huidrom Ramcharan, who runs a chicken meat shop at Kwakeithel bazar. The chicks, packed in 120 baskets, were brought in from Assam, via Jiribam on a Tata DI 207 truck registration no. MN01K-5783 and it was caught by the Patsoi police at around 12:35 pm at Keithelmanbi, on NH-53. The entire load of chicks, along with the vehicle was later handed over by the police to the veterinary department. It may be mentioned, as a precautionary measure against the possibility of spread of bird flu to the state, the state chief secretary, recently issued a notification asking all district DCs as well as all police...

13 women hurt as bus falls into Nambul river: Imphal, Feb 3: Some 13 women were injured, at least two of them seriously, when a passenger bus fell into the Nambul river on Sunday morning near Wahengbam Leikai under Imphal West police station. The incident occurred when the bus, carrying mainly women vegetable vendors heading to Khwairamband bazar, accidentally drove into the Nambul river while trying to avoid a collision with a Maruti Van which had just emerged from the Kangabam Leikai lane. The accident occurred at around 7:30 am. The passengers were mostly vegetable vendors hailing from Nachou village in Bishnupur district Altogether 13 women, identified as Arambam Lata Devi, 40, of Nambol Maibam Lokpa Ching, Ayekpam Ibenungsi Devi, 55, of Nambol Maibam Lokpa Ching, Khoirom Manitombi Devi, 45, of Nambol Phoijing, Sorensanbam Mema Devi, 45, of Oinam village, Oinam Shanti Devi, 55, of Nambol Laitonjam, Laishram Leibaklei Devi, 40, of Nachou Maning Leikai, Arambam Chandramukhi Devi, 47,...

Public protest after twin murders: Imphal, Feb 3: Protests erupted at Lilong and Oinam Sawombung on Sunday after two separate shooting incidents on Saturday night that resulted in the death of two men belonging to these two localities. Residents of Lilong took out a protest rally and briefly blockaded the Indo-Burma road on Sunday afternoon after a local pan shop owner was shot dead by unknown persons late on Saturday evening. Residents of Oinam Sawombung blockaded the Mayai Lambi indefinitely over the killing of a local youth, also on Saturday night. One Md. Taliburahman 35, hailing from Lilong Litam Makhong was shot at by two uindentified gunmen while he was sitting inside his shop at Lilong bazar on Saturday evening around 7.15 pm. The victim, who sustained a single bullet wound to the head, died on the way to hospital. In connection with the killing, the Lilong Bazar Shopkeepers’ Welfare Society organised a public meeting on Sunday at Lilong bazar and formed a joint action committe...

Shop owner shot by suspected UGs: A 27-old shop owner was hospitalised after he was shot at by two unidentified gunmen suspected to be UGs on Saturday evening at Kakwa bazar under Singjamei police station at Imphal. The injured man, identified as Konthoujam Pilot of Singjamei Thongam Leikai was reportedly shot with a single bullet at his left thigh by two unidentified gunmen inside his shop at Kakwa bazar at around 7.15 pm on Saturday without any reason. The victim was adimtted to Shija hospital, and Singjamei police registered a case in this connection. Woman hurt: The Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the suspicious death of Charangpat housewife Oinam ongbi Shanti Devi has said a 40 year old woman, one Binodini, has been hospitalised after being hit by a rubber bullet on Saturday in a confrontation with the police in the course of the Mayai Lambi bandh called by the JAC in protest against government failure to deliver justice in connection with Shanti’s death. Another ...

Kakching residents set deadline: Imphal, Feb 3: Kakching bazar observed a shutdown on Sunday in protest against the kidnapping of Naorem Keshwar Singh, an assistant engineer in the state electricity department, by cadres of an underground group on January 31. Several hundred Kakching residents, including members of the family of abducted engineer, also staged a massive sit-in protest at the Irabot Park, Kakching bazar over the kidnapping. A joint action committee has also been formed to take further course of action in connection with the issue. According to reports, shops and business establishments in the entire Kakching bazar, as well as vegetable and other vendors, also observed a shutdown in sympathy with the mass protest that began at 10 am in the morning. It may be mentioned, assistant engineer Naorem Keshore Singh, hailing from Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai, who is posted in the electricity department`s executive engineer`s office was abducted by unidentified gunmen on January...

Manipur retains title: Guwahati, Feb 2: Manipur expectedly retained the championship crown of the annual North East Games with dominant performances in almost all the disciplines in the 22nd edition thereby once again underlining the State's supremacy in the region. The North East Games, previously known as the North East Sports Festival, which concluded on Saturday with the closing ceremony held at the Sarusajai Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, saw Manipur outclass sportspersons of the seven other participant States in judo, weightlifting, wushu, women's football, men's kho-kho, taekwondo and boxing in addition to stupendous show by the female athletes. Moreover, the champion State secured runners-up titles in men's boxing and women's kho-kho. The overall championship trophy bagged by Manipur in the latest edition is the State's triumph for the 20th time since the competition began in 1986 at Imphal. Objective of the annual competition held under the aegis of Sp...

Hunt on for 'Little Star': Lamka, Feb 2: The first ever hunt for a child artiste via a TV show took off on Saturday at the Studio of Hornbill Cable Network here Live and exclusive. One hundred and twenty children in the age group of 7 to 12 years will vie for the 'Little Star' award. As the Live footage of the visibly excited kids thronging the studio in the company of their parents was broadcast, another set of children keenly glued to the television set. In Saturday’s audition, wherein the kids presented their talent sans music, none were eliminated from the competition. With music to adorn their talent they will, from February 16, venture on ten elimination rounds. Initially, 50 will be selected from the 120 contenders. Thereupon the number will be trimmed to 20, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 during the Grand Finale. Even as the VJs announced that each audition round will witness children from different orphanage homes and any proceed thereof will go to the orphans the ...

Unity march reaches Mao: Imphal, Feb 2: The Peace and Unity March being organised by Young Horizon has reached Mao on Saturday. From Sunday, the march would proceed to other Northeastern States where people of the same ancestral stock are residing in an effort to renew emotional ties with them. For going ahead on its mission, the march would be flagged from Mao along with a befitting function. L Romesh Meetei who is leading the march has sought the blessing of all the people for the success of the mission. Around 500 people are participating in the march which would cover States like Nagaland, Meghalaya and Assam.

Relief delay prompts stir threat: Imphal, Feb 2: Setting February 5 deadline for payment of the promised rehabilitation package to families in the five hill districts of Manipur affected by the ethnic violence of the Kuki-Naga, Kuki-Zoumi and Kuki-Paite clashes, the Communal Victims' Relief and Resettlement Association has cautioned the State Government to do the needful failing which intense agitation would be launched. Speaking to newspersons at the Manipur Press Club on Saturday, Association president Ajang Khongsai informed that Ministry of Home Affairs had on June 2006 released over Rs 8 crores to mitigate financial hardships besetting those families who lost their members during the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash in the early part of 1990s. After the NSCN (IM) served quit notices to Kuki villages in 1991 bloody clashes broke out from June, 1992 affecting 8800 Kuki families scattered in the five hill districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati, for whom the Ce...

Dates set for Parbung hearing: Imphal, Feb 2: The Rajkhowa Commission has intimated Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) to depute their respective representatives for a hearing on the Parbung/Lungthulien case which is slated for February 18 and 19 in Imphal. In connection with the alleged rape of 21 Hmar women in Parbung and Lungthulien areas of Churachandpur district bordering Mizoram in 2006 by cadres of two UG groups, HRA and MAFYF had approached the Rajkhowa Commission for cross examination of the victims with the probe panel consequently conveying to the petitioners on the hearing dates, said Commission sources on Saturday. Responding to the strong protest by Hmar civil societies and other NGOs on the incident Government of Manipur had in March 2006 instituted the probe panel under Justice (Retd) SP Rajkhowa with the Commission members visiting the villages concerned to record statements of the victims, witnesses including village chiefs and police off...

Released engineer recalls ordeal: Imphal, Feb 2: Thoubal division PWD sub-division I AE Sorokhaibam Menjor Singh, who had been abducted by cadres of the underground People`s United Liberation Front, PULF was released after five days captivity late Friday evening. Menjor, who spoke to mediapersons at his home at Charangpat Mayai Leikai on Saturday morning, told mediapersons that he was let go by his captors at around 7:15 pm at Lilong bazar. Recalling his ordeal, he informed that he had been abducted by some five persons on the evening of January 28 last after waylaying him on his way home from office at a spot at Usoipokpi. He said he was kept blindfolded for the next five days at an undisclosed place before being released on Friday evening at Lilong. Expressing regret over victimization of subordinate staff of the department by the underground groups, he pointed out that the staff of the department of the rank of AE and below have nothing to do with financial matters, and appealed to ...

Mystery enquiries land several in lock-up: Imphal, Feb 2: Several persons have been picked up by the state police in the past few days after suspicious phone calls from a mobile number issued in Manipur were found to have been made to a neighbouring state making detailed enquiries concerning the movements of a prominent VVIP. According to SP, CID (special branch), the calls were found to have been made from an AIRCEL number bought on the black market through one person said to have links with an underground group. The original subscriber along with the end user and at least one person through whose hands the SIM card had passed have been taken into custody. On January 30, information was received from the intelligence wing of a neighbouring state police force that there had been suspicious calls from an Aircel number in Manipur making repeated enquiries about detailed programme of a visit of a prominent VVIP to that state. An investigation was launched, and the recorded subscriber, Lai...

Meira Paibis felicitate them: Imphal, Feb 2: The eight women who were rounded up for reportedly protesting on Republic Day in support of the boycott called by underground groups within the jurisdiction of Lamshang police were released on Saturday. They were released unconditionally, said the Meira Paibis who were taking part a public meeting held at Mayang Langjing in connection with the rounding up of the women of the locality. Four cases were registered at four police stations in Imphal West regarding the burning down of the Indian national flag and a copy of the Indian Constitution and carrying out protest by shouting anti-Indian slogans on January 28. The cases were registered as suo-motto cases at Lamshang, Patsoi, Mayang Imphal and Sekmai police stations based on the reports carried in the local newspapers. All the cases were registered under under section 124-A of Indian Penal Code, IPC and 2 of the prevention of insult to national honour Act 1971. One of the cases taken up by t...

JAC objects extension of Imphal Airport: A joint meeting of the JAC Against Acquisition of Land for Expansion and Extension of Imphal Airport with representatives of various civil organisations has resolved to urge upon the Government to develop Imphal airport within the existing area of 600 acres, informed a press release issued by the JAC. The joint meeting held on Saturday at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, was attended by representatives of CCDD, AMUCO, UCM, HERICOUN, UMO etc. The meeting agreed that the Government plan to acquire additional 512 acres of land cannot be justified. In case the Government decides to go ahead with the land acquisition move, the JAC and the civil organisations will stand firm to foil the move. If the Government fails to pay heed to democratic forms of protest, the JAC together with the civil organisations will take recourse to violent modes of agitation, it warned. Mithamana traders tonsured as penalty: In continuation of its drive against tobacco products,...