Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

General strike partially disturbs normal life: Imphal, May 14: Normal life in the state was partially disturbed today due to the statewide general strike called by the Manipur Forward Youth Front, MAFYF demanding release of its president Sapamcha Kangleipal who was re-arrested and detained under the National Security Act, NSA yesterday. In the meantime, after the torching of an oil tanker (MN01-6469) carrying kerosene oil by some suspected supporters of the ongoing ATSUM economic blockade at Lairouching along the NH-39 in Senapati yesterday at around 3 pm, snatching of registration books and other vehicular documents also continued on the highway. The 24-hour general strike commenced from last midnight and ended at midnight tonight. During the general strike hours there were no reports of any untoward incidents. Mention may be made that the MAFYF president, Kangleipal was released yesterday after sedition charges leveled against him were dropped by the court, but the police re-arrested...

Suspension of bus service to go on: Imphal, May 5: A meeting of the Inter-State Bus Association held at Hotel Imphal on Monday resolved to continue with the ongoing suspension of inter-State bus service. Inter-State bus service along NH 39 was suspended since May 3 because of unaffordable monetary demands made at different check-posts and by numerous UG groups. During the meeting, it was agreed to suspend tourist bus service until all the monetary demands from UG groups and the 'taxes' being levied at different check-posts are withdrawn. Even as a joint meeting with civil society representatives was convened today to discuss the unfolding situation following suspension of inter-state bus service, the meeting has been deferred to another date as attendance from civil society representatives was poor. On the other hand, because of the 120 hours economic blockade being imposed by ATSUM on national highways, a large number of loaded vehicles are being stranded on the highways unabl...

Inter-State buses suspend service: Imphal, May 4: Following the All Manipur Inter-State Bus Services Association (AMISBSA)'s decision to suspend buses services indefinitely due to 'heavy' monetary demands from various elements, all buses plying along the National Highways have suspended service from Sunday. The association has been compelled to take the decision owing to various elements, undergrounds and overgrounds demanding heavy amount of money from the transporters, a spokesman of the association told media persons on Sunday evening. The spokesman said transporters, mainly passenger buses, are facing many problems due to the heavy imposition of monetary demands and 'taxes' by different underground groups operating in both hills and valley districts. The inter-state bus services were financially overburdened as they had to ay 'taxes' at every police checkpost in neighboring Nagaland state. The decision was taken during a meeting held on Saturday at its o...

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...