Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Charge sheets framed against 4 accused: Imphal, Jan 3: After over three years of intense investigation in an atmosphere far from being conducive, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed charge sheets against four persons accused in the kidnap and murder of Baby Lungnila Elizabeth before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal, on Thursday. The accused named in the CBI chargesheets include Thokchom Nando Singh (25) of Khangabok Part-III, Ningombam Rome Meitei (35) of Bashikhong, Okram Deben (28) of Langthabal and the prime accused Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki (34). The CBI had a torrid time in claiming custody of the prime accused as he was detained by the NSCN (IM) before being arrested on June 10, 2007 from Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland. Even though the CBI is informed to have named another accused identified as Sorokhaibam Surjit Singh in the kidnap and murder case, legal proceedings could not be initiated against the individual after unkn...

AR CO extends aid, 11 still critical: Imphal, Dec 27: Out of 31 persons who sustained injuries in the December 16 bomb blast near Pourabi Lamjing Meira High School, eleven are still undergoing treatment in critical condition at JN Hospital, RIMS and Shija Hospital. This is in addition to eight killed in the blast. A statement issued by the ‘JAC Against the Pourabi Huidrom Bomb Blast’ informed that of the injured victims undergoing treatment in RIMS, Konthoujam Michael's right leg is in a critical condition even after his left leg had been amputated at knee. The JAC has also expressed its gratitude to the CO of 39 Assam Rifles, Col Bikramjit for extending financial help to the tune of Rs 55,000. Hit by splinters at legs, hands, back with a part of his left heel already severed, Okram Imobi (36) is also battling for life in hospital. Mangjam Abung (20) is suffering from broken back bone and spinal cord. With his two fingers already severed, Heikrujam Herojit (30) is also staring at p...

Indigenous species gets new lease of life: Imphal, Dec 24: Closely related with the history of the land and highly relished by the local people, Pengba variety of fish which was on the verge of totally disappearing from Manipur a few years back is now getting a fresh lease of life. The sole credit for regenerating this endangered indigenous fish species goes to Soibam Dhanabir of Ningombam for he succeeded where the State Government had failed. Earlier the State Government made several efforts to regenerate the fish species but failed. Speaking on Pengba Day celebration at Ningombam on Monday, Soibam Dhanabir said that in addition to its superior taste, Pengba contains Omega-3 fatty acid which is highly beneficial to health. Though once feared that Pengba might get extinct from the State, there is no cause for such worry now, claimed Dhanabir. The Pengba Day celebration jointly organised by New Zen Aquaculture Farm and Radiance Socio-Economic Development Organisation was attended by Fi...

Engineer shot at by gunmen: Imphal, Dec 21: An executive engineer of the state IFCD Soubam Dhanabir, 52, was shot at both legs by unidentified gunmen at his house at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai on Friday morning at around 7.30 am. The victim was evacuated to Shija Hospital where he is reported to be out of danger. According to Dhanabir, an unidentified youth walked into his living room without a word and shot him twice in both thighs. The youth fled the spot immediately afterwards along with another youth who was waiting at his gate on a motorcycle. Dhanabir was operated on at Shija Hospital and both bullets removed. Hospital sources said he was out of danger. Police sources believe the shooting to be the handiwork of the KCP (MC) group. In yet another incident, unidentified persons left hand grenades at the homes of Laishram Gourakishore, executive engineer, minor irrigation, and one Ningombam Gojen, said to be a relative of chief minister O Ibobi Singh, on Friday morning. According to ...