Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Nurturing beauty among currents of violence: If the masthead of this newspaper (The Telegraph) were long enough, or if the type it used were smaller, this column could have carried the title: ‘MEETING A MAESTRO ON A MISTY MORNING IN MANIPUR’. Over the past decade, the little and beautiful state of Manipur has replaced the larger and even more beautiful state of Nagaland as the second most troubled part of India (the Kashmir valley, of course, being the first). Other insurgencies in modern India have been, for the most part, a straight contest — between the insurgents and the Indian State. True, the rebels have had their factions, but these are all united by the dream, or fantasy, of taking their territory out of India to construct a new, sovereign, nation. In Manipur, on the other hand, there are three distinct insurgencies in simultaneous operation. The first insurgency is led and staffed by the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley. This seeks to make the whole of Manipur, as it now stands, i...

NISA blanked 0-2 by Air India: Kannur, Apr 26: Air India, Mumbai, scripted a 2-0 victory over North Imphal Sporting Association (NISA), Manipur, in the last Group 'B' league match of the second EK Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup Football tournament at the municipal Jawahar Stadium on Friday. In an uninspiring match, Air India captain Bashiru Abbas struck two goals in the 15th minute, with a header, and 34th minute. After a recess tomorrow, the first semi-final between Ferroviaria FC, Brazil, and Bayelsa United FC, Nigeria, will be played on Sunday. The second semi-final between Air India and Sporting Clube-de-Goa is scheduled for Monday. The final of the tournament will be played on April 30.

Threaten stir if demands not met: Silchar, Apr 25: At least six organizations of Bishnupriya Manipuri community have sent a joint memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Asom urging them to immediately fulfil of the long-standing demands of the community. If no action is taken immediately, the organizations will start a road and rail blockade from May 21. The leaders of these organizations have alleged in a press meet here that the Centre has given its green signal to the departments concerned to start Bishnupriya Manipuri programmes in AIR and Doordarshan. The organizations claimed that the programme would start this year. Sujata Sinha, the organizer of an NGO, North Eastern Developmental Council, has been pursuing the matter for a long time. Source : The Sentinel

Vehicles stranded at Mao: Imphal, Apr 25: More than 100 vehicles including 21 inter-state passenger buses were stranded at Mao gate owing to the 24-hour Senapati district-wide “Black Day” bandh called by the Youth Front of Senapati. The bandh along the Imphal-Mao section of the national highway that commenced late Thursday night, was called to pressurize the Manipur government for revocation of the cancelled census report 2001 in respect of three sub-divisions in Senapati district. A report from Mao gate said as many as 124 vehicles including 21 inter-state tourist buses and 103 goods ferrying trucks were stranded at the gate. Business and other establishments including schools and government offices were also closed for the day and the Senapati district headquarters wore a deserted look. However, there was no report of any untoward incident at the time of filing this report. The youth front is blaming the state government for remaining as mute spectator despite the call of the people...

15-member Delhi team in Imphal: Imphal, Apr 25: A 15-member team from Delhi led by the Union Cabinet Secretary arrived at Imphal on Friday to take stock of the law and order situation as well as discuss developmental projects being taken up in the State. The team led by Cabinet Secretary M Chandrasekhar landed at Tulihal airport on Friday at about 4.25 pm from a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force and they were received by Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, DGP Y Joykumar and a host of other State officials. On the other hand, the State Government has taken a serious view over the absence of an MCS officer who was not found present at his place of assignment in connection with the arrival of the team from Delhi. Straight on their arrival the team called on Governor Dr SS Sidhu at the Raj Bhawan at 4.30 pm and later met the Chief Minister in his office chamber at 5.30 pm. Though details of the itinerary of the team are not available, a reliable source said that a cultural programme was...

U-turn saved MLA Bijoy Koijam’s life: Imphal, Apr 25: It was an unscheduled U-turn that probably saved Congress MLA Bijoy Koijam’s life as the scooter bomb went off in the heavily-fortified VIP Colony here yesterday. Had the ruling party MLA from Thongju of Imphal East not made a U-turn after coming out of his official quarters, his three-vehicle convoy would have received the full impact of the blast that left three bystanders wounded. “I was starting out of my quarters around 10am. But as soon as I spotted the lone scooter parked on the roadside, I got suspicious and immediately asked my drivers and guards to take a U-turn back to my quarters, which was close by. If I had proceeded, the scooter bomb would have exploded as I passed by. I thanked god. The bomb exploded as soon as my car stopped at my gate,” a shaken Koijam told The Telegraph this morning. Koijam, however, could not say whether he was the target. “I cannot say whether I was the target. What I know for sure is that had I...

JAC on Robi Killing demands issuing weapons to citizens: Imphal, Apr 25: Coming out strongly against the killing of Haorambam Robi Meetei (52) of Lilong Chajing Konjeng Leikai by KCP (MTF) on the night of April 23, the JAC formed to decry the killing has also categorically raised the demand for issuing weapons to all the citizens to defend themselves as the lives of innocent people are not safe anymore in the State. Addressing a press conference in this connection on Friday, L Maipak, secretary of the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of H Robi Meetei said that Robi was an innocent person leading a simple life. So the JAC would not be able to accept the charges levelled against him after being killed by KCP (MTF). Stating that the demand of the UG groups would never been fulfilled without the support of the people, Maipak pointed out that if a person is guilty then he/she should be given a chance instead of killing and heaving charges. As the lives of the innocent people are not safe any ...

High Japanese Encephalitis Incidence in Manipur 6th Manipuri Convention Opened at Silchar KSO Decries Dropping Mini Secretariat Project Meitei Pung Cholom in Zakir Hussain Show in US NPO Condemns Assault on Daili Villagers MAFYF Youth Marchers Reach Seijang Protest Against Sixth Pay Commission Meet deliberates on Right to Self Determination UNLF Cocks a Snook at Ibobi's Khongjon Day Claim PREPAK Shuts a Restaurant at Lamphel Takyelpat Polytechnic Opposes UG Demand TRUGPU Win Saratchandra Football Title Manipur not doing enough on Tipaimukh crisis: SIPHRO, TFRC

Hepatitis, Jaundice after unknown disease: Senvon (CCpur), Apr 25: Even as the people in the villages under Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district have been grappling with the outbreak of a yet to be identified disease which has claimed the lives of 30 children so far, fresh report on outbreak of Viral Hepatitis and Jaundice among the children in Senvon and Leisen villages have come in. It is said that over 30 children have been affected by viral Viral Hepatitis and Jaundice in the two villages of the sub-division which has already been reeling under the impact of Mautam and its subsequent food shortage. With lack of any proper health care facilities, even a common ailment is a serious health problem for the people of the sub-division, which has been remaining like an island cut off by an insensitive Government. Apart from the deplorable condition of the road connecting the sub-division with National Highway 150 and Guite Road, there is no other means of transportation with e...

KCP (MC) claims responsibilty: Imphal, Apr 25: The proscribed KCP (MC) has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast at Babupara on Thursday as well as for the bomb fitted to a rickshaw near the southern gate of Imphal pologround. A statement issued by the military affairs secretary of the outfit Lanheiba Meitei claimed that the bomb was exploded by the demo section of the party's fifth Lanjaba Unit. Stating that the actual target of the bomb at Babupara was security forces, Lanheiba appealed to the people to bear with collateral damages, if there is any in such bomb attacks, till the land is freed from alien rulers. Regarding the bomb planted just outside the pologround, the outfit clarified that the mission was aborted taking into consideration of the heavy casualties likely to be suffered by Manipur police personnel. Lanheiba conveyed that all the KCP cadres involved in the bomb attack have reported to their unit commander safely. The outfit also pledged to avenge its three cadr...

Exercise deferred in Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, Nagaland: New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Government has amended the Representation of the People Act 1950 to enable the Election Commission conduct future elections with the redrawn boundaries of constituencies, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2008, which came into force on April 16, is aimed at helping the EC consolidate the delimitation orders and take steps for holding elections in terms of these orders, Law minister H R Bhardwaj said in written reply. The minister informed the House that delimitation exercise in respect of all the states, except Jammu and Kashmir, has been completed. The exercise in respect of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland has been deferred, he said. The Delimitation Commission's final orders in respect of the Jharkhand have been nullified till 2026 by section 10 B of the Delimitation Act 2002, he said. Source : The Press Trust of India

Imphal auto drivers protest against militants demands: Imphal, Apr 25: Joining the anti-militant chorus in Manipur, auto rickshaw drivers protested against underground groups for extortion demands. The All Manipur Auto Rickshaw Owners and Drivers Association staged a sit-in protest in Imphal demanding a free atmosphere and an assurance of security from the government. Carrying placards with slogans "Do not harass us before the repayment of loans to the banks", "Do not harass the daily bread earners", " Are you a revolutionary or mafia", hundreds of auto owners and drivers were participated in the protest. "Various underground groups demand money from us when we don't even earn much. We would like to plead them to look at us differently and not demand extortions from us," said K. Biteshwor Sharma, General Secretary, Manipur Auto Rickshaws Owners and Drivers Association. Most of the auto owners and drivers are educated who took to the profess...

Two militants killed: Imphal, Apr 25: Two militants were killed on Friday in a gunfight with Assam Rifles personnel in interior Thoubal district of Manipur. Official sources said the gunfight took place after the personnel of Assam Rifles's 21st battalion saw some persons moving suspiciously at around 5.30 am when patrolling Wabgai Buffalo Farm area. They began to fire when asked to stop, sources said, adding that two militants were killed in the ensuing encounter. Others escaped during the gunfight at the location, about 40-km south-east from here. The bodies were brought to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here for post-mortem and identification. Source : The Press Trust of India

Air Deccan employee was to give help: New Delhi, Apr 24: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that terrorist outfits planned to hijack an aircraft from North Eastern Region (NER). The admission is significant because Assam Police had a couple of months back claimed to have unearthed a conspiracy to hijack an aircraft from LGBI Airport. An employee of Air Deccan was detained in this connection. Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel in a Lok Sabha reply, said that several intelligence inputs have been received by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) regarding terrorist outfits planning to hijack civilian aircrafts from North Eastern States (NES). On receipt of intimation about any threat message from intelligence agencies, an alert message is issued by BCAS with a copy to the concerned regional Deputy Commissioner of Security with specific instructions to coordinate with the concerned agencies at the airports and to monitor the security arrangements, Patel added. An Air Decca...

Shifting cultivation in Nagaland, Manipur one reason: New Delhi: The forest cover of the country has decreased marginally by 728 square kilometers between 2003 and 2005, the Rajya Sabha was informed on 24 April. Minister of State for Environment and Forests S Regupathy said forest cover in 2001 was 653,898 sq km which increased to 677,816 sq km. However, it came down to 677,088 sq km in 2005, he said. "The forest cover of the country has more or less stablised," he said replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) carries out forest cover assessment of the country using remote sensing technology once every two years. He said the reasons for fall in forest cover was tsunami's effect on vegetation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, construction of dam in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and shifting cultivation of bamboo in the North-East especially Nagaland and Manipur. Source : The Press Trust of India

NISA thrashed by Argentine Club: Kannaur, Apr 24: Instituto Buenos Aires de Futbol, Argentina, already knocked out of the second E.K. Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup football tournament, decided to bow out in style. The Argentines thrashed North Imphal Sporting Association (NISA) 7-1 at the Muncipal Jawahar Stadium here on Thursday. The massive win, of course, came a bit too late in the day, as Bayelsa United, Nigeria, and Air India have advanced to the semifinals from Group ‘B’. The young team from Manipur needed to win tonight if it had to entertain any hopes of staying alive, but it was up against a talented side that was determined to put behind its shoddy display against Air India two days ago. If the goalkeeper Marcos Juarez was the main culprit for the 5-1 thrashing in that game, he came up with a vastly-improved display tonight, even making quite a few saves; had he done that against Air India, the most attractive and popular side in the tournament would have stayed on. Maximiliano ...

Another revolt after 55-year old man shot dead: Imphal, Apr 24: Refusing to hear the repeated pleas from his son, a 55-year-old man was shot dead in his son's presence late Wednesday night at Lilong Chajing Loukon under Singjamei police station. The broken hearted 25-year-old son has refused to even drink water and is now lying in bed being administered drips since last night. The aged parents and other members of the family of the deceased are also shattered at the loss and were hospitalized today in Imphal. Outraged over the killing of the local man, people of Lilong Chajing and Lilong Shantipur have decided to boycott all underground organizations and ban their entry into the area. They also commenced a total indefinite blockade on the Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-39 from 11.30 am today. Hundreds of them turned out on the street along the highway and blocked the traffic for the day. Haorangbam Robi Meitei, son of Achao of Lilong Kongjeng Leikai was shot to death by two armed s...

Needs urgent attention, say visiting ambassadors: Imphal: Loktak Lake is the only fresh water lake surviving in India, but the present condition of the lake is quite unhealthy. The state government and the people of Manipur should take up measures to preserve and develop it. This was the opinion of three ambassadors from the countries of Finland, Sweden and Denmark who are on a visit to the state. Lars-Olof Lindgren, the ambassador of Sweden, Asko Numminen, the ambassador of Finland and Ole Lonsmann Poulsen, the ambassador of Denmark expressed that they had come on a visit of India since a few months back but their real objective was to visit the north eastern part of the country. Therefore, they approached the Indian embassy for a visit to the north eastern areas and had so far visited Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The ambassadors said that the people of Manipur were excellent in hospitality and they really appreciated the rich cultural heritage of Manipur and really respected...

Cross border arms smuggling in Manipur discussed: Imphal: Giving details of the cross border arms smuggling and other cross border activities of the insurgents operating in Manipur like the existence of training camps, hideouts and transit routes in Myanmar, the Manipur government has hinted at coordinated joint operations by the Myanmar army and Indian security forces, as decided during a home secretary level talks between Myanmar and India. Yunan province of China is the main originating point of the arms and ammunition found in Manipur and the main routes used for transporting it are Thai-Myanmar border through Kachin state and Kalemyo-Tamu in Myanmar and then onwards to Ukhrul district. Arms and ammunition are also being smuggled into Manipur through various routes, such as via Kasom Khullen, Moreh, New Somtal, Behiang etc. said the agenda note for Indo-Myanmar border management which was placed before the home secretary level talks between India and Myanmar at New Delhi in the mon...

Five hurt; another bomb on Governor's route: Imphal, Apr 24: The heavily guarded Babupara VIP colony was rocked today morning when a remote controlled IED fitted on a scooter exploded leaving at least five people including a woman injured even as another IED fitted on a rickshaw was found on the BT road where the Manipur Governor was scheduled to travel on Thursday. The IED on the rickshaw was removed safely by state police bomb squads from the spot. Eleven detonators connected to a remote control device with a radio set and about 3 Kgs explosive substance believed to be RDX were recovered inside a box below the seat of the rickshaw. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh convened a Cabinet meeting this evening and reviewed the situation even as intensified security at Babupara and all roads leading to Imphal city were witnessed after the blast and recovery of IED amidst the crowded Imphal city. The Cabinet while taking stock of the security measures taken up has decided to remove all the sh...

Senapati Student bodies flay thrashing: Strongly condemning severe thrashing of three prominent citizens of Senapati district on April 23 night by some persons claiming to be UG activists, the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), Maram Students'Union, Mao Students' Union, Poumei Students' Union, Thangal Students' Union and Zeliangrong Students' Union (Senapati) demanded appropriate action by authorities concerned immediately failing which the student bodies would be constrained to take up befitting action. According to an SDSA release, headman of Daili village H Stephen, former village secretary Kh Losii, who is also the secretary of rosary School Managing Board, and Parish Priest of Rosary School were picked from their respective homes at around 7 pm of April 23 and whisked away to a forest area by the unidentified persons. The student's body said, "In Naga customary law and as Christians, the headman and missionary workers are held in high ...

Team leaves for Myanmar: Imphal, Apr 24: A delegation consisting of officials of the Manipur government, Mizoram government, scholars and functionaries of the NIPCO will leave Imphal tomorrow for Myanmar for a series of discussions on the future prospects of India`s "Look East Policy" and its 1400 km tans Asian highway. President of NIPCO, Y Nabachandra said the delegation to Myanmar aims at explore the future impact of the trans Asian highway on the people of the state as well as in other parts of Asia where the highway is to pass through. It is a must for the people living in South East Asia to discuss and know the future impact on the living conditions of the people by the coming up of the highway which is to reach upto Thailand border, he said. The programme was sponsored by the department of commerce and industries, Manipur. Professors from Munipur University, traders, senior citizens, entrepreneurs, functionaries of NIPCO and well known scholars in different trades alo...

Called on killing of two women: Imphal, Apr 24: Decrying the alleged failure of the State Government to produce the killers of two women namely Snowy Anal and Esther Anal of Chandel district, the All Tribal Women's Organisation, Pallel has announced its decision of calling an indefinite bandh along the National Highway 39 with effect from 6 am tomorrow. In a statement, the women's body made it clear that it had already served an ultimatum to the Chief Minister giving 48 hours time to identify and arrest the killers. Reminders have also been send the Chief Minister on March 23 and April 8. However, there has been no response from the side of the Government. Over and above calling an indefinite bandh along the National Highway, the Association has also made necessary preparation for calling a district-wide bandh in Chandel dist , picketing of the Govt offices and launching State-wide dharna and mass rally in phase-wise manner, the statement said, while seeking the support of all ...

Fitting tributes paid to martyrs: Imphal, Apr 23: Khongjom Day was observed today in commemoration of the brave fight put up by the soldiers of Manipur to against the British imperialist in 1891 along with offering Tarpan and paying befitting tributes to Paona Brajabashi, the chief army commander of the Manipuri forces and numerous other soldiers who laid down their lives for the sake of safeguarding the sovereignty of their motherland. Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led the people in paying homage at the memorial of the martyrs located at Khongjom Kheba hillock in Thoubal district as well as in offering floral tributes to the statue of Paona Brajabashi installed at the foothill of Kheba. A contingent of the Manipur Rifles gave the guard of honour, general salute, reverse arms, slope arms, order arms and gun salute amidst trumpeting of the last post. The observance function was organised by the Government of Manipur. In his address as chief guest of the function,...

RIMS works entrusted to Central panel: Imphal, Apr 23: With financial management of the State Government far from being satisfactory and taking into account unstable law and order situation development works of RIMS is informed to have been entrusted to the Central Government's public undertaking Hospital Services Consultant. A top official of the medical institute stated that incompetency of the State Government in the utilisation of the annual plan allocation coupled with the prevailing law and order uncertainty has led to the Central Government to adopt a more pragmatic approach so as to ensure development funds do not fall into wrong hands. The official further informed that development works to be handled by the Consultant include those envisioned under the Prime Minister's special package of Rs 100 crore as well as under the Phase-II project of similar programmes. On the other hand, to take a first hand account of works to be implemented under the Phase-II Project, archit...

Meinya takes up rail cause for NE States: New Delhi, Apr 23: Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Dr Thokchom Meinya, has underlined that all the State capitals in the North Eastern states except Dispur, capital of Assam have no rail connection. Though it was a long pending demand to connect all State capitals by trains, it is not yet implemented in the North Eastern region. Dr Meinya urged the Union Minister of Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav to connect the remaining seven State capitals of North East Region by rail without any delay. Participating at the discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Railways for the year 2008-09 on Thursday last in the Lok Sabha, the Parliamentarian from Manipur stated that the total length of railways in the North Eastern region is about 500 Kms, though the size of the entire North East is one tenth of the whole country. He also pointed out that the British constructed half of the existing rail-lines in the North E...

147 delegates from Manipur taking part: New Delhi, Apr 23: In all 147 delegates including 46 women from Manipur are taking part in the three-day National Convention of Chairpersons of District and Intermediate Panchayats, which was inaugurated by Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj last morning at Burari Ground, Outer Ring Road here. Manipur delegation consists of 137 Pradhans of Gram Panchayat, three Adhyakshas of Zila Parishad namely S Subhaschandra of Imphal West Zila Parishad, Basanti of Imphal East Zila Parishad and Abdul Latif of Thoubal Zila Parishad and seven officials led by Y Neta Singh, Director of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Manipur. Y Neta Singh flagged off the Manipur delegation on April 18 at Panchayat Bhawan, Imphal for the National Convention. The Manipur delegation arrived here on April 21 . Around 8000 delegates from 26 States and five UTs are participating in this National Convention. This includes around 1500 women. The dele...

Central team to visit Manipur: Churachandpur, Apr 23: The Central Emergency Medical Relief team is to tour epidemic-hit Manipur's Hmarram area (Parbung-sub division) of Churachandpur district, during this week. This was informed by Delhi Hmar Welfare Association's secretary Mr D Khobung after the Famine Relief Committee (FRC) several representations to the Union Health and Family Ministry in New Delhi on Tuesday. "In response to the numerous representations submitted by the FRC to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry asking the Central's Emergency Medical Relief to tour epidemic-hit Hmarram area of Manipur, the Chief Medical Officer of the Directorate General of Health Services has assured us that a central team, which includes epidemiologist, pediatrician, micro-biologist and host of other doctors will be visiting Manipur during this week if everything goes as planned," Mr Khobung said over phone from New Delhi. So far 29 children have died in Hmarram are...

Moirang Yatra by Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad: Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad has organised the Moirang Yatra to commemorate the flag hoisting ceremony by the INA of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on April 14 in 1944 on the liberated land of India from the yoke of Britishers. This year the Yatra has been dedicated to “India, My Home”. It will go to the capitals of Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam taking the message of national security and integrity. All together 15 to 20 persons will participate in the yatra from various states of the country. The yatra began from India Gate (New Delhi) on April 10 after paying homage to the martyrs. According to Air Cor. (retired) Shri Balkrishan Gandhi, national general secretary of the Parishad, a total of six persons left from Delhi on April 10 and others will join the yatra in the way. Col. (retired) Shri N.C. Gandhi, national organising secretary of the Parishad, is leader of the yatra. Source : Organiser

Bans festivities, Thabal Chongba on Khongjom Day: Imphal, Apr 22: The KYKL has banned all festivities on April 23, the day observed as Khongjom Day in the state in a press release by it Dy. Secy. publicity and research, Apabi Mangang. In particular, the organisation banned all planned thabal chongba in and around Khongjom on the day, and also on all other days until the next Yaoshang except in the case of Lai Haraoba rituals of the nearby sacred places. The KYKL release also expressed utter disbelief at the show of insensitivity to the history of the place and the significance of the Khongjom war by such planned festivities. It said this should have been a solemn occasion to remember the land’s brave forefather and their commitment to freedom and identity of posterity. They fought the British knowing fully well they were no match for the imperial army which had virtually conquered the whole world earning itself the epithet that it is an empire on which the sun never sets. In the face o...

Police land at Lamphel found allotted to private individuals: Imphal, Apr 22: Authorities of the Manipur government have quietly allotted land and quarters under the possession of the state police department in front of Lamphel police station to private individuals. The police department has brought up the matter to the knowledge of the state home department requesting it to take up steps to reclaim the said allotted lands in consultation with the revenue department on April 11, an official source said. The lands which were found allotted include the present Rajya Sainik Board complex under village no. 91(A) Lamphel having an area of 150 ft x 62 ft. An area of 0.0852 hectares under CS Dag no. 7014/7189 under Patta no. E old and 408 under new patta which was allotted to the managing director, Manipur Hills and Backward Development Cooperative Bank Limited, Imphal under government orders N. 21/94/99-R dated 16/5/2001 was again found transferred to the private individual M Ranjit Singh. T...

Cabinet Secy to visit state to review security: New Delhi, Apr 22: Lawlessness and tardy development in Manipur will come under the Centre’s scanner when Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar visits the state for a comprehensive review of the troubled state later this week. He will be accompanied by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and top officials from ministries handling development in the region. Coming close on the heels of a high-level meeting in New Delhi, the visit, slated for April 25, would involve a comprehensive review of the current security and development scenario in the state, official sources said here on Tuesday. As reported by The Indian Express, the Cabinet Secretary held a security review meeting on April 1 where senior state government officials including the chief secretary had briefed him about the situation. Naga and Meitei militant groups have unleashed a reign of terror in the border state, virtually running a parallel government where extortion thrives and k...

Local bodies to shut office for five days: Imphal, Apr 22: The ongoing agitation by the members of Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats is all set for further intensification as the Councillors have decided to resort to a five day office closure and pen down strike which also won the backing of Councillors of Imphal Municipal Council. An emergency meeting of the Councillors of Imphal Municipal Council held today at the office chamber of the Chairperson unanimously resolved to join the ongoing sit-in-protest/pen-down strike being observed under the banner of JAC All Manipur Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat, informed a release. members/functionaries of All manipur Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat have been protesting against the monetary demands and interference by UG groups for the last many days. on the otherhand, as declared earlier members of Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchyats began their five day office closure and pen down stir from today to denounce hefty monetary...

Toll rises to 30; BCG, DPT Greek to villagers: Parbung (CCpur), Apr 22: The death toll of infants in Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district following the outbreak of a yet to be diagnosed disease continues to claim the lives of children, with one more child passing away early today morning. With the latest casualty, the death toll of children, all below the age of one, has risen to 30 ever since the disease broke out during the last three/four months. On the other hand, lack of medical care in the interiors of Churachandpur became palpably clear as it has been confirmed that no expectant mother has ever received the BCG and no child has been administered DPT vaccine to ensure the health of the child as well as the expecting mother. It is however yet to be confirmed whether the lack of vaccination is in any way related to the deaths of the children. Even as the Government is groping in the dark to ascertain the cause of the deaths as well as to confirm the veracity of the numb...

AR refutes allegation from Yairipok people: Imphal, Apr 22: Reacting to the allegations raised by the local people of Yairipok and published in the State dailies following the killing two by Assam Rifles troops on April 18, the PRO of Assam Rifles in a statement today said that the two slain youths belonged to the proscribed PULF (Azad) faction. The PRO said that following inputs about the presence of S/S assistant finance secretary, Md Mustafa and S/S pvt Abdul Aziz alias Tomba of the finance department of PULF (Azad) and their group commander Md Sana in Yairipok Tulihal village, security forces established multiple ambushes/mobile vehicle check post s on all roads leading to Yairipok Tulihal. House to house search operation was also conducted, said the PRO and added that the two slain PULF cadres escaped from the village taking a less utilised road. They were however confronted by the security forces, said the statement and claimed that they were killed in retaliatory firing. The all...

Seven selected for India U-13 camp: W Linthoingambi Devi, E Panthoi Chanu, T Ranjita Devi, H Sunita Devi, th Purnima Devi, Lhingneikim Kipgen and L Ranibala Devi have been selected to attend the India Under-13 girls football coaching camp to be held next month, informed an AMFA release. The seven selected are further informed to submit copies of passports and six Nos of passport size photographs each to the AMFA office within April 30 . NISA lose in Nayanar (Kerala) tourney: NISA, Thangmeiband went down by a solitary goal to Nigeria's Bayelas United in a preliminary round match of the 2nd EK Nayanar Gold Cup Football Tournament at Kannur (Kerala) On Monday evening. Substitute E Tub Guriga scored the all important goal in the 84th minute of the match which is the Nigerians' second win in as many matches. NISA custodian K Ashok Singh, who earlier stopped a penalty kick by Kenneth Bassey, was named man of the match. NISA's next opponent on April 25 will be Air India, Mumbai. M...

Dr Meinya petitions Patil on state affairs: New Delhi, April 22: Member of Parliament from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Dr Thokchom Meinya, drew the attention of the Union Home Minister for taking up some specific measures for bringing normalcy in Manipur. Participating at the discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2008-09 in the Lok Sabha yesterday, Dr Meinya referred to the Status Report on the Internal Security situation in India which pointed out that the main challenges to internal security and law and order situation in the country centred around terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and Naxal affected areas and communal violence. He observed that while the situation in Jammu and Kashmir continued to show definite improvement, the overall situation in Assam and Manipur in the North Eastern Region remained an area of concern. Even though the counter insurgency operations had been stepped up in the region, killings of civi...

Environmental concerns echoed: Imphal, Apr 22: Manipur today joined the rest of the International community in observing Earth Day held under various themes related to protection of the environment. Taking the lead, Manipur State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and CC Higher Secondary School jointly observed the day along with organising a function at the school campus today. Chairman of MPCB E Dwijamani Singh, Principal of CC Higher Secondary School Y Nongalei Devi and MLA Th Lokeshore Singh attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively. On the significance of observing Earth Day, Member Secretary of MPCB Th Ibobi Singh said that the Earth Day is being observed all over the world as an outcome of the efforts made by US Senator Kellock Nelson in 1962 towards making it compulsory for all the countries to recognise the environmental issues as their political agenda. Under his initiative, a Nationwide rally to spread the message of environmental protectio...

SHDC opposes enforcement of PR Act: Imphal, Apr 22: The Sadar Hills District Committee claimed to have submitted a memorandum to the CM on its objection regarding enactment of Panchayati Raj Act in Sadar Hills which the body construed as the state Govt relying on 'divide and rule' policy. Reminding that SHDC had already expressed opposition to implementation of Panchayati Raj in the sub-division, the body asserted that it would not allow further division of Sadar hills on communal line. Instead of exclusion of villages/areas located within Sadar Hills from the purview of Zila Parishad/Panchayati Raj which is in total disregard to the sentiment of Sadar Hills people the State Govt is once again trying to nominate members of Pradhan and Gram Panchayat for the vacant wards/constituencies which is totally illegal and against the recently held election results, an SHDC statement maintained. The SHDC also recounted that till 1983 entire villages/areas in the three sub-divisions of Sa...