Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

DoNER fund allocation slashed: New Delhi, May 2: Several development projects in the North-East are likely to be hit following massive reduction in allocation of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) funds. The Ministry made a projection of Rs 2,922 crore for the current fiscal, however, actual allocation was pegged at Rs 1455 crore, leaving it high and dry. Subsequently, the Ministry intimated a Parliamentary Standing Committee that due to reduction in the allocation by almost 50 per cent projects would suffer. The Ministry would not be able to implement the scheme for development of the region. The reduction in allocation is the latest set back to hit the Ministry. However, there has been increase in plan outlay for Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and North Eastern Council (NEC) and North Eastern States Road Projects, whereas loan to NEDFi has remained static. Besides, the projects under development of inland waterways in the NER have been entrust...

NE people consume more alcohol, tobacco: New Delhi: After entering the record books for highest consumption of tobacco in the country, the North-East has had people addicted to high consumption of liquor, now. According to the "Alcohol Atlas of India," consumption of alcohol in northeastern states is higher than many other parts of the country. Interestingly, women in the region drink more than their male counterparts. The "Alcohol Atlas of India," prepared by Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance (IAPA), was recently released by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Anbumani Ramadoss. The overall patterns of alcohol consumption vary throughout the country, the Atlas said. Besides the North-East including Sikkim, women also tend to drink more in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Goa are others states which have recorded high alcohol consumption in the country. Earlier reports had said that the North-East suffered ...

Cabinet agrees to provide guns to Heirok, Chajing: Imphal, May 2: The State Cabinet during a meeting held on Friday with the Chief Minister in the chair has decided to accede to the demands of the Heirok and Chajing people to provide them guns after creating posts of Special Police Officers (SPOs). The demands to issue guns to the people of Heirok and Chajing were raised following the slaying of three people and injuring another by opening fire by PREPAK cadres at a Thabal Chongba venue at Heirok and killing of a 53 year old man by KCP (MTF) at Chajing Konjeng Leikai. A senior Cabinet Minister of the SPF Government informed The Sangai Express that provisions of guns to the people will be provided after creating the posts of SPOs as was done in Jammu and Kashmir. After deliberating on the matter for about three hours, the State Cabinet adopted a concrete decision in this regard and resolved to activate SPOs from June 12 . For Heirok, 300 SPOs will be recruited while Chajing will have 20...

Swu invites Khaplang’s deputy to Bangkok: Kohima, May 2: Two decades of hostilities later, the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim has invited Khole Konyak, commander-in-chief of its long-time bete noire NSCN (Khaplang), for talks in Bangkok. This is not the first time, though, that the NSCN (I-M) has written to the top leader of NSCN (K). In the past, too, several letters have been written to NSCN (K) chairman S.S. Khaplang and Konyak, but the manner and style of writing the letters had displeased the Khaplang group’s policy-makers. Highly placed sources said Konyak has received a letter from the chairman of the NSCN (I-M) Isak Chishi Swu inviting him to come to Bangkok for talks to push forward the ongoing reconciliation and unification process among the Naga warring groups. However, there were no details about the letter sent by Swu, but sources said its purpose was to iron out the differences and push forward the reconciliation and unity process initia...

CII award for state health worker : Imphal, May 2: The Confederation of Indian Industry in its effort to promote women's empowerment at the community level has instituted an award known as Women Exemplar for grassroot community women who have excelled in different fields of work thereby making a significant contribution to the development process. Since 2006 the award has been given to women of the country for their outstanding contributions to the society. For the year 2008 the award was given to Manipur Voluntary Health Association`s program director N Nanda for health by the chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit on April 29 at the Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. 50-yr-old suffers fatal stroke after UG demand: Imphal, May 2: In a bizarre incident a 50-year old headmaster of a primary school died after suffering from a BP stroke on April 30 at Moreh after he was asked to give Rs. 5 lakhs by one of the valley based UG groups, sources said. The victim, Naorem Bisembor, 50, of Tentha K...

Normal life affected in Manipur: Imphal, May 2 (PTI) The BJP-sponsored general strike against price rise affected normal life in Manipur on Friday with shops, markets and business establishments remaining closed. Very few vehicles were visible on the roads in view of the strike, official sources said. However, transport services between Manipur and the neighbouring states were not affected by the strike. Attendance in government offices was also normal. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. Source : Press Trust of India Another Story :

Maoists eye India's northeast: New Delhi, May 1: Indian intelligence and security agencies are worried over the efforts of Maoist rebels to set up bases in the already restive northeast, which has now overtaken Jammu and Kashmir in militancy-related violence. Security experts are analyzing the possible ramifications of the move. Following inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, the Interior Ministry sounded a red alert to the region's seven states directing them to put their police and central paramilitary forces on high alert, said a top IB official, who declined to be named. The official said agencies are worried because the presence of Maoist rebels would further complicate the situation in the region, already under the grip of a severe armed conflict. Intelligence inputs sent to the federal Interior Ministry suggest Maoist rebels have supported the issue of scheduled tribe status in Assam that would grant the state's residents greater access to educational and employment o...

By Baba Strange things happen in Manipur. It is one of the states with highest literacy rates of the country. Unfortunately, people here behave like illiterates. The recent reports of a one Rajgopal of Wangkhei Nighthem Pukhri Mapal being expelled from the locality on charges of harassment of a minor domestic help is a case in point I am making it clear at the beginning that I am not supporting harassment of a minor domestic help. But, the question is: can under the law a social organization expel anybody from his lawful place of residence for doing a wrongful act? I think the answer is a clear no. The social organization and those who took the decision in the meeting should have taken a legal course, say filing a Public Interest Litigation or reporting the matter to the police so that the culprit enjoy the air of a jail. The matter could have been different in the case of the tribals. They have special laws under the Indian Constitution though these laws are also subject to reasonabl...

Press Council issues guidelines: New Delhi, Apr 30: The Press Council of India (PCI) has issued fresh guidelines following threats to the mediapersons in the North-east particularly in Assam and Manipur. Concerned over the threats to newspersons in the two States, the PCI constituted an Assessment Committee for Assam, whose scope was later enlarged to include Manipur. The Council has issued guidelines based on the Committee’s report. The Council’s action came after NE Television owned by Positive Television Private Limited moved it, complaining of threats being received by the print and electronic media representatives in the North-east, said Information and Broadcasting Minister, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi in a Rajya Sabha reply to a question by Kumar Deepak Das. The complaint was referred to the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 29 last year requesting all possible measures to ensure security of the print and electronic mediapersons, especially of the NE Television...

Ibobi assures compensation to affected people : Imphal, May 1: Chief Minister O Ibobi singh has assured to suitably compensate the people affected by the construction of Khuga multipurpose dam in Churachandpur district, while visiting the dam site with a group of ministers on Wednesday. He also assured the people to take measures for the beautification of the dam areas to attract tourists. Blockade over, Moreh trade resumes : Imphal, May 1: Border trade hummed back to life in the border town of Moreh in Manipur’s Chandel district after transporters resumed services and government offices reopened. Vehicles went off the roads and attendance in government offices was practically nil following a blockade by the All Tribal Women’s Organisation of Chandel at Japhou, the district headquarters, demanding punishment for the killers of two women, murdered last month. Manipur to check bird flu outbreak: Imphal, May 1: Health authorities in Manipur held a three-day seminar and training on methods...

Laishram Monika Fetches Weightlifting Olympic Berth : New Delhi, Apr 30: With one silver and two bronze to their kitty in the ongoing Asian weightlifting championship in Kanazawa in Japan, Indian women have booked one berth for Beijing Olympics. Laishram Monika Devi has fetched three medals for India in the women’s 69kg event in the final Olympic qualifying event which concludes on Thursday. Khuga Dam to be Opened by PM in June : Imphal, Apr 30: The construction of Khuga dam is expected to conclude next month and the dam is likely to be inaugurated by the first week of June by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In this connection the chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh along with other ministers of the state visited the dam site to conduct an inspection on Wednesday morning. Plan to Arm People Against Militants Discussed : Imphal, Apr 30: The Manipur government is considering drafting a model or system to empower the local people against attacks and extortion etc. apparently in the af...

Monika wins medals in Asian Weightlifting: New Delhi, Apr 29: Laishram Monika Devi fetched the first medals for India in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Kanazawa, Japan on Tuesday by finishing overall third in women's 69 kg category. Monika lifted a total weight of 222 kg (100 in snatch and 122 in clean and jerk) to finish behind Liu Chunhong of China (262: 117+145) and Kao Ya-chun of Chinese Taipei (222: 98+124) respectively. The Manipuri girl added a silver and bronze as she was second in snatch and third in clean and jerk. Army Launches Tipaimukh Vigil: Imphal, Apr 29: Troops of the 57 Mountain Division started patrolling the Tipaimukh Hydel Project site in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Tuesday after militants blew off a drilling rig and brought work to a standstill on Saturday. Militants had blasted a drilling machine using an IED, forcing all engineers and workers to flee the project site, located on the Manipur-Mizoram border. The Hmar Peoples Convention (Demo...

Arming citizens to fight their own people fraught with danger: By Baba There has been an increasing frustration of the people of Manipur to the violence and extortion perpetrated by the underground elements. I feel that for some time now the wanton killings of innocent citizens have exceeded the trigger happiness of security forces. Even as we do not accept trampling of civil liberties and killing by security forces under draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Power Act, we can not also remain as mute spectators to mindless violence by our so-called brethren. The writing on the wall is becoming clearer day by day. The protests by Imphal auto rickshaw drivers, by doctors and nurses of RIMS, by the councillors of Municipal Committees and Nagar Panchayats, shutting down shops in Awang Sekmai – all against extortion by the UGs, the demand to the state government by the JAC formed after the killing of 52-year-old Haorambam Robi Meetei of Lilong and by the people of Heirok to issue ...

Found stored in a box at Ukhrul: Imphal, Apr 27: The INA flag which was hoisted for the first time in Indian territory is still existing in good shape.The flag is in the custody of YA Shishak of Shangshak in Ukhrul district, who witnessed the Indo-Japanese war at Shangshak. He also served as a peon in both the Maratha Infantry and Japanese Army in diffetent periods of time. The tricolour flag is made of Khadi and has a tiger printed on it. YA Shishak says the flag was the first INA flag which was hoisted first in Ukhrul by the INA. The INA complex built at Moirang was supposed to be made in Ukhrul but the late ex-chief minister Koireng build it at Moirang, he said. YA Shishak was in Class III when the Indo-Japanese war took place at Shangshak. The Maratha Infantry took him in their ranks as a peon. After some time he was caught by the Japanese Army who again made him work as a peon for them. He was taken to Tokyo twice by the Japanese, he said. YA Shishak is now living near Shangshak w...

BRO entrusted with more road works: Imphal, Apr 27: The Imphal-Maram portion of NH-39 will be taken over by the Border Road Organization along with a portion of the NH-150 from 251 km to 402 km which is also likely to be taken over by the same agency, said an official source. The Union ministry of shipping, road transport and highways had issued a notification on February 5, 2008 directing the BRO to take over the development and maintenance of the stretch of NH-39, the source said adding that the state government had intimated the clearance of the portion of the NH-150 from 251 km to 402 from militant presence last December and requested for take over. The NH-39 which is the main lifeline for the state of Manipur starts from Numaligarh in Assam and ends at Moreh, a border town in Manipur bordering Myanmar. The 80 km long Imphal-Maram section of the Highway-39 is being maintained by the state public works department while Dimapur-Kohima-Maram section is being maintained by BRO for the ...

Water scarcity hits embattled sub-division: Imphal, Apr 27: Coupled with the global climatic change, large scale deforestation activities have resulted in acute shortage of water in Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district. Though the hills slopes of Tipaimukh were covered with thick forest cover not long ago, this precious trees were cut down and burnt to clear land for extensive cultivation of ginger. Driven by their desire to earn quick money and having very limited source of income, the villagers unwittingly took up ginger cultivation on a large scale by clearing forest trees. Such reckless deforestation activity, if not check properly by devising a more environment friendly method of ginger cultivation or providing some other means of livelihood to the villagers, will ultimately lead to a more disastrous situation in not very distant future. Hit by scarcity of water, people of Tipaimukh sub-division used to fetch water from far away gorges/water-holes everyday. In some oth...

MUTSU protests reservation policy: Imphal, Apr 28: The Manipur University Tribal Students' Union (MUTSU) has called for a series of agitations to protest the reservation policy followed by the University. The students today called a strike within the campus and also decided to boycott the visit of a UGC team. Sources from the union said the tribal population in the state was more than 32 per cent, whereas, only 12 per cent reservation was provided to them. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the state government had no say in the reservation policy of the university as was a Central university. However, he assured that the state government would urge the Union Human Resources Ministry to fulfill the demands of the tribal students. MU officials said the university was following the norms laid down for all central universities and it could not change the guidelines on its own. Source : United News of India Another Story :

Rapist lynched at Andro: Imphal, Apr : A father of six was poked by sharp weapons and left to bleed to death by a mob in an Imphal East village last night for allegedly raping a mentally challenged 11-year-old a month ago. By the time his family members found Aheibam Pishak, the 41-year-old was dead. Without a murmur of protest against the street justice, villagers of Andro Makha Leikai cremated Pishak today — not even waiting for a police team to arrive. Pishak had allegedly lured the victim from his neighbouring village into a temple with the promise of sweets and raped her while her family celebrated a festival. “The rapist took our daughter inside the temple while the villagers were celebrating Thabal Chongba (dancing in the moonlight) on March 27 night. He assaulted her twice and freed her after giving her Rs 10 and threatening her against revealing the incident to anyone,” a relative of the victim said. The girl did not disclose the assault to her parents, but narrated the ordeal...

RIMS medical professionals hold protest: Imphal: If the auto rickshaw was the target last week, so were medical professionals of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, Manipur. Employees of the hospital suspended operations at the Out Patient Department (OPD) for two days in protest against extortion demands of militant groups. Doctors and employees came together on Saturday to save the institution from the militant groups. "We are facing threats from some underground elements. To protest against this, we organised sit-in protest," said W. Gyaneshwor Singh, Director-in-Charge and Department of Bio-Chemistry. For them, it is not a question of saving the institute that has been designated as the AIIMS of the North East, the employees are worried that if this law and order problem continues to be a problem the hospital might be shifted to some other place. H. Tampha Devi, a staff nurse and Secretary of the Trained Nurses Association of India, said, ...

Shaya Devi disappoints: New Delhi, Apr 27: Manipuri weightlifter Shaya Devi finished a disappointing ninth in her weight category in the Asian Weightlifting championship at Kanazawa, Japan. She lifted a total of 174 kg (77 in snatch and 97 in clean and jerk) to finish ninth in the 12-lifter 53 kg event won by Chinese Cen Lijuan with a lift of 208 kg (91+117). Laishram Monika Devi will compete in 69 kg women's category on Tuesday. Source : Press Trust of India

Comprehensive win for Manipur girls: Imphal, Apr 27: Manipur thrashed Chandigarh 19-0 in the 4th Under-17 Girls Sub-Junior National Football Championship being held at Diphu, Assam. The first leg match between the two played today saw the Manipur team lay siege at the rival territory with Y Premi netting the opener only 48 seconds into the match with her first of two in the game. Other scorers in the thumping victory for the team include Chanchan (five), Naocha (three), Nungshitombi (two), Chandrajini (two), Bidyarani (two), Montesori (two) and Kamala (one). The second leg tie between the two will be played on April 29.

Heirok adamant: Imphal, Apr 27: Reaffirming its tough stand against the UG groups, JAC Heirok warned its locals not to help even a single coin to any UG group. Any family found helping UG groups must accept whatever punishment Heirok people award them, cautioned a statement issued by its general secretary L Mandir. Maintaining that PREPAK is still intimidating the villagers of Heirok despite their apology regarding the fateful incident of March 24 night, the statement further informed that the DI-Tata and Jeep services between Heirok-Thoubal and Heirok-Wangjing have been cancelled from April 20 due to monetary demands made to the vehicle owners by the outfit. Conveying that they would face all the consequences, JAC also urged the vehicle owners to resume service from April 28. The JAC also sought clarification from the concerned regarding the firing took place at an isolated area between Salungpham and Heirok a few days back. All the branch offices, zonal councils and units of various ...

MLAs decry culture of violence: Imphal, Apr 27: Highlighting suffering of the masses owing to increasing trend of gun culture and related violence perpetrated by both security forces and banned armed outfits marked the second Occupancy Day observance held today at GM Hall here under the aegis of Occupancy Day Observation Committee. The Day is informed to be observed in grief of the then British colonial forces crushing the erstwhile independent Manipur on this day in 1891 . speaking as the chief guest Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC's MLA RK Anand decried that violent activities that had been besieging the State has exceeded level of tolerance in every aspect and observed that in case such trend persists future of Manipuri society is very bleak. Equally condemning wanton killings by activists of banned armed outfits as well as extra judicial elimination by trigger happy security force personnel, the legislator called for sanity and reliance upon existing legal provisions in sorting out all...

HTC threatens agitation: Imphal, Apr 27: An upset Hill Tribal Council, Moreh has threatened to launch intense form of agitation in case threat to the life of Moreh College Principal S Lungjapao persists or the Government fails to take appropriate measures to ensure safety of the responsible citizen. In release received today, HTC president Jangmang Haokip and general secretary Ginsei Lhungdim recounted that neither has the press communique of the KSO nor subsequent consultation meeting between representatives of the Kuki students' body and AMSU could bring about an end to the impending threat to the life of S Lungjapao who is also the advisor of HTC. Detailing on the purported threat, the HTC statement said as recently as on March 17 an attempt was made to abduct the College Principal while on his way between Imphal and Pallel which the individual himself managed to foil. Nine days after the said incident another similar attempt was made by some gunmen who inquired whether or not L...

Imphal Police surprised the UGs: Imphal, Apr 27: Six PULF cadres including its general secretary, deputy commander-in-chief, finance secretary, publicity secretary and chief of army have been apprehended by a team of Manipur Police led by SP Imphal East Th Radheshyam from a hotel at Mysore at about 9 this morning. Talking to The Sangai Express over phone, SP Th Radheshyam said that following a specific information that PULF leading were meeting at Kolkata, a police team including himself and two commando officers of Imphal East district went to Kolkata on April 24 . But the scheduled of PULF at Kolkata did not take place and in the meantime it was learnt that the PULF leading were meeting at Chennai. Subsequently, the police went down to Chennai. But there too the meeting did not materialise. Then the police team went to Bangalore where the PULF leaders were reported to be holding their meeting. This morning it was informed that the PULF leaders were actually meeting at Mysore. With th...

'DoNER should be further empowered': New Delhi: The North East MPs forum has urged the Prime Minister to make the DoNER Ministry a full fledged one with more powers and budget instead of abolishing it altogether as suggested by the Administrative Reforms Commission recently. "While opposing the recommendations of the Commission, we also strongly urge upon your good office to upgrade the Ministry of DoNER to a full fledged Ministry with all powers vested in it and with adequate financial and coordinating powers for the development of the North Eastern Region", the MPs who met Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday night said, adding that the entire fund accumulated in the consolidated fund of India, as accruals in the NLCPR should be kept at the disposal of the Ministry of DONER so that it could exclusively play the role of a nodal Ministry for planning and all round development of the Region. "The Ministry of DoNER has so far only been distributing the Non-lapsable Centra...

Suggests comprehensive action plan: Imphal, Apr 26: After reviewing the law and order situation of the State with officials of the State Government and members of the Combined Headquarters, the central team led by Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar suggested formulating a 'comprehensive action plan' to tackle the problem of insurgency and to check the extortion spree. The law and order situation of the State was studied jointly during a meeting held at the conference hall of Old Secretariat southern block today. Besides the central team which included Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh who were on a two day visit to the State, the meeting was also attended by GOC 3 Corps, GOC 57 Mountain Division, top officials of Assam Rifles, CRPF, intelligence agencies and the State Police Department. Briefing media persons after the review meeting, Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar stated that basic purpose of the team's visit to Manipur i...

KSO shuts Govt. offices, warns more agitation: Lamka, Apr 26: Most of the Government offices here ceased the day's chores at 11am today following the KSO, Churachandpur block's diktat to do so in a bid to mark their protest against the Government decision to drop the Rs 40 crore mini-secretariat project. The KSO protest comes at a time when many intellectuals here were taken aback by the news report on the decision to drop the multi-crore project only in Churachandpur district. At a press conference later in the day, KSO leaders accused the Government of neglecting the district and questioned on what basis the project had to be dropped. They also claimed that the project site is not the ground for their agitation today but the decision thereof to drop the project. Maintaining that location/site of the project doesn't matter for them as long as the project is undertaken in the district, the student leaders said it is the Government that should see the 'right place' f...

ATWO calls bandh on killing of two Anal women: Imphal, April 26: In denunciation of the alleged failure of the State Government to track down murderers of two Anal women in a thoubal district area last month, the All Tribal Women's Organisation (ATWO) sponsored indefinite National Highway 39 bandh has come into force from today. Bullet riddled bodies of LH Esther Anal (30) and PS Snowy Anal (27), both from Chakpikarong sub-division of Chandel district were found on March 22 with strong suspicion that modesty of the ladies were outraged by the perpetrators. The ATWO and other social bodies had earlier prevailed upon the State Government to crack the case with even the Chief Minister reportedly setting a time frame to pull up the guilty persons and punish them accordingly for the ghastly crime. As neither the Government could arrest the culprits nor honour demand for payment of adequate compensation to family members of the slain women, the ATWO, as was already pronounced, went ahead...

DONER sanctions 12 projects for State Manipuri National meet enters 2nd day Graduate teacher selected for programme in USA Enforcement Directorate notes on Govt. failure Protests for release of Cheirao-ching protestor

State ministers, MLAs honoured: New Delhi, Apr 26: Manipur Commerce and Industries Minister Yumkham Erabot, Chief Whip and Vice President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Tongbram Mangibabu, MLA and Chairman of MANITRON Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh, MLA K. Meghachandra Singh and MLA Awangbow Newmei from Manipur were among those personalities who were honoured with Bharat Excellence Award 2008 on Saturday at Indian International Centre here. The Friendship Forum of India organized the yearly event. The award carried a gold medal and a certificate. The award was given to them for their outstanding extraordinary achievement in their chosen field of activity and services rendered to promote greater friendship and India International cooperation. About 100 personalities from all over the country working in different fields like politics, medical, agriculture, art and culture etc were honoured today. On the occasion, the Minister and the four MLAs were also among those honoured with 'Nor...

KCP (MC) denies responsibility: Imphal, Apr 26: Contrary to a statement issued by the military affairs secretary Lanheiba Meitei of the proscribed KCP (MC) claiming responsibility for triggering the powerful bomb blast at Babupara as well as planting another explosive device at Mapal Kangjeibung, a statement the issued by Tamnganba, propaganda, communication & technical officer (Military Council) of KCP (MC) denied any connection of the armed group to the twin incidents. While strongly condemning the blast and attempted explosion at public places, Tamnganba called for sanity to all concerned. The statement also informed that after detailed deliberation by the party restriction imposed against activities of KC Meetei has been lifted with immediate effect. Source : The Sangai Express