Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Imphal, June 20 : "Looking at my three children, I am trying to forget the harrowing experiences of the past". These are the words of Chitra who lost both her first as well as the second husband in the prevailing gun violence. There are hundreds of women like Chitra in Manipur who are trying to piece together their shattered lives after their life partners have been killed without any trial by the State actors, non-State actors or simply armed hooligans. When her first husband fell to the bullets of CRPF personnel, Chitra thought it was her destiny. But thinking that living under the protective care of a husband may shield herself from the scornful look of the society and put an end to the persistent nagging of her child who did not know his father, she tied the knot again. Unfortunately, her second husband too fell to the merciless bullet of unidentified armed person and she never knew why her second husband was killed. When death of a husband is something that any women wou...

Union minister opens new Paying Ward at RIMS: Imphal, May 14: "I don`t believe the underground will disturb the development of health care centres," said Union minister for health and family welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday while promising to bring up the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, RIMS to be one of the best among the health care centres in the country. The Union minister while giving his speech at the inauguration of the Paying Ward of the RIMS today also announced free of cost treatment facilities for the people living below poverty line, BPL and other poor people under the initiative of his ministry. Dr. Ramadoss laid the foundation stones of a new OPD block, dental college and nursing college of RIMS with a sanctioned amount of Rs. 129 crores. He said that in the next two years, people of the state would witness RIMS as one of the best health care centres of the country. The announcements he made include increase in the intake of MBBS course student...

Cancer centre in all NE States mooted: Imphal, May 13: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss who arrived here today as part of his North East itinerary has expressed satisfaction over the measures taken up in the health sector particularly on Immunisation, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, TB and Malaria. Interacting with the media at the Jubilee Hall of RIMS this evening, the Health Minister said that since the North East people are susceptible to Cancer, the Centre has decided to open Regional Cancer Centres in all the North East State. Significantly, RIMS had earlier announced that majority of the lung cancer cases reported in the country are from the North East States particularly Manipur. Though health care facilities are perceived to be poor in the remote areas of the State, Ramadoss however noted that the health care scenario in the North Region is satisfactory. There are plans to improve the infrastructure at the Primary Health Centres, Primary Sub-Health Centres, Community Health Centres et...

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 ...

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...

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, ...

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...

Alleged rapist escapes: Imphal, Apr 21: A man belonging to Andro village who is accused of raping a 11-year old girl escaped from the custody of the underground RPF during a public trial held on Sunday evening, but the RPF has warned the rapist to surrender to the party within five days from Monday. The 50-year old man Aheibam Pishak, son of late A Hem Singh of Andro Makha Leikai is charged of raping an 11-year old girl identified as Chingakham Nirmala of Andro Mamang Leikai and reportedly escaped from the custody of the RPF/PLA on Sunday evening while the outfit was conducting the final trial in the rape case at Andro village. Later, the public at Andro village on getting information that the rapist had escaped became restless and demanded the immediate production of the culprit before the local public for necessary punishment on Sunday night. In the meantime, the spokesman of the RPF/PLA`s department of publicity and communication during a press conference held somewhere in greater I...

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...

Scribe assaulted: Acting president of All Jiribam Working Journalists Union N Priyobrata was severely assaulted by one Mutum Dilip Singh, son of Babatombi Singh of Babapara, near rail crossing on the night of December 29 last. Blaming that no action has been taken despite a complaint on the incident was lodged to the Jiribam police station, the Union has requested the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union for necessary action. According to a statement of the AJWJU, Jiribam, its acting president was beaten up on his way home without any reason and suffered severe injuries at left eye, face and other parts of the body. KCP executes ex-cadre: Deputy Commander of KCP (MTF) Capt Kesho has informed that an ex-cadre of the outfit, identified as Santosh Sharma of Tentha Khabam, has been awarded capital punishment at an adjoining place of Mayang Imphal-Uchiwa at around 8.10 pm on Monday for allegedly swindling party fund. Capt Kesho informed that in 2006, Santosh was punished for his involveme...

Mob torches hooch joint: Imphal, Dec 28: Irate over the death of a man at a local drinking joint, villagers of Awang Leikinthabi under Sekmai police station torched the hooch shop late on Thursday night, a police report said on Friday. Police have arrested the liquor vendor after registering a case at the Sekmai police station. Reports said that 43-year old Kshetrimayum Rajen alias Dhojo son of late Bheigo of Awang Leikinthabi collapsed while he was consuming locally brewed liquor at the hooch joint run by one Khangenbam Kumar, 44, son of Kh Ibohal last night around 8 pm. Rajen apparently failed to return to normalcy and died later. A friend of Rajen`s named Haobam Iboyaima, 43, son of late Mohori who was with him at the drinking joint reportedly left the spot quietly after Rajen collapsed, and the family got to know of his death only after the hooch shop owner Kumar delivered his lifeless body at his home at around 9.40 pm. Outraged over the dead of Rajen villagers turned out armed wi...

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...

Hands over Rs one lakh ex-gratia: Imphal, Dec 24: Terming the Pourabi bomb blast of December 16 last which claimed the lives of eight persons and wounded around 30 others as a cowardly act of terrorism, chief minister O Ibobi Singh on Monday pledged that the government would spare no efforts to find and punish those behind the blast. The chief minister, who returned to Imphal from New Delhi on Monday afternoon, met representatives of the families of the deceased at his official bungalow shortly after his arrival in the state capital and handed over ex-gratia amounting to Rs. 1 lakh each. However, the next of kin of two of the victims, L Devika daughter of Gulap of Keibi and P Ibethoi, daughter of Bungjao of Sekta Mayai Leikai, were not present apparently as they could not be informed in time. Ibobi Singh, consoling the families, said the guilty persons who were behind the horrendous act would never be spared, asserting that every effort is being made to find and punish them. Ibobi, whi...

Two cops hurt: Imphal, Dec 20: One Police Commando and one IRB personnel sustained injuries following heavy exchange of firing between underground activists and Thoubal Police Commandos at Salungpham under Thoubal Police Station at around 12.10 pm on Thursday. According to information culled from the site of the incident, at around 7 am on Thursday, Thoubal Police intercepted report of factional clashes involving PREPAK cadres including one ‘Sidaba’ who is the Thoubal District Commander of the outfit at Ukhongshang. Consequently, four teams of Police Commandos led by OC Kishore- chand rushed to the area. However, as they could not find anything amiss there inspite of searching the area thoroughly, the Commando teams turned back. As they approached Salungpham market, the Commando teams saw the villagers here and there in panic. Suspicious of the whole thing, the commando teams drove their vehicles toward the ground of Salungpham Yambem Mamang Leikai. At around 12.10 pm, as the bullet pr...

JAC seeks financial help from public: Imphal, Dec 19: With some of those critically injured in the Pourabi bomb blast of December 16 likely to require further medical treatment outside the state, the JAC, Pourabi has solicited assistance from the public to help meet expenses likely to be incurred by them. In this connection, two helpline units are being set up at RIMS and JN hospitals from Thursday, said a statement issued by the JAC, Pourabi. The JAC has also expressed its profound gratitude to all those individuals, social organisations, meira paibi groups, transporters, doctors and hospital staff, and others who had extended their assistance to the victims of the bomb blast, whether by coming forward personally, providing vehicles, supplying medicines, or donating cash. It also acknowledged those who have issued statements of condemnation of the incident. Meanwhile, the Centre of Child and Youth Development, Keibi Mayai Leikai, has demanded that the proscribed RPF/PLA should court m...

Death toll rises to eight: Imphal, Dec 18: With one more victim succumbing to injuries on Tuesday, the death toll in the bomb blast at Pourabi under Lamlai Police Station on December 16 has risen to eight even as the corpses of the other victims have been taken after post-mortem examination amidst heart-rending cries of their dear and near ones. The latest blast victim who died at RIMS Hospital at around 1.45 pm on Tuesday where he was undergoing treatment has been identified as Singam Premanand (32) s/o late Ibopishak of Keibi Awang Leikai. The powerful bomb blast that ripped through a running mini bus plying along the road in between Pourabi and Huidrom had killed three passengers on the spot and wounded over thirty others. The three persons who were killed at the spot were identified as Soibam Bobby (32) s/o Bobo of Keibi Mayai Leikai, Phijam Thoi (20) s/o Bonjaoba of Sekta Mayai Leikai and Singam Inao (24) s/o Gunadhor of Tiger Camp. Later on, four more injured victims passed away ...

HC orders police probe into Umathel excesses: Imphal, Dec 17: Imphal Bench of Guwahati High Court on Monday directed the state Director General of Police to enquire into the facts and circumstances leading to the injuries inflicted upon the civilians of Umathel and its adjoining areas in the aftermath of encounter between cadres of proscribed PREPAK and a column of Assam Rifles on September 30 this year. It may be mentioned, as many as 52 men suffered injuries when they were beaten up by the Assam Rifles personnel in the aftermath of the September 30 encounter and many of them were forced to leave their homes for fear of further excesses by the security forces. The enquiry to find out the facts and circumstance is to be made by a nominee not below the rank of an inspector general of police and 21st Assam Rifles should cooperate with the inquiry, the directive of the division bench of the Gauhati High Court said. The division bench comprised of Justice T Nandakumar Singh and Justice K M...

RIMS adds another feather in cap: Imphal, Dec 11: In a medical breakthrough, a team of doctors of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here have successfully performed an operation by using the new and standard technique of abdomino-perineal resection with total mesorectal excision on a patient diagnosed as a case of Carcinoma rectum involving the lower 3rd T3 NoMo on December 5. The breakthrough operation , which is the first ever case in Manipur, was performed by a team of surgeons consisting of Prof H Manihar, Dr A Devadutta Sharma, Dr B Bobby Sharma, Dr Devakanta Sharma, Dr DB Bista and unit PGs and junior doctors who were duly assisted by a team of Anaesthetists comprising of Dr Gojen, Dr Arun and PG students. According to a statement issued by Medical Superintendent of RIMS, the operation was done with curative intent and was completed successfully in 3 hours. The patient on whom the operation was performed is identified as L Gambhini Devi (55) of Laipham Khunou. Now, pe...

Chauhan arrives, starts one to one meet with CLP members: Imphal, Dec 11: AICC general secretary in charge of the North East and Union Minister of State in the PMO, Prithiviraj Chauhan who arrived at Imphal on Tuesday to get a first hand account of the revolt raised by some dissident Congress MLAs against the leadership of O Ibobi has started meeting the CLP members individually to hear their opinion. Chauhan who was deputed as an Observer by the AICC will submit his report on reaching Delhi. Chauhan along with Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya and executive member of the MPCC (I) L Manglem landed at Tulihal airport on Tuesday at 2 pm. The team was received by a large number of Congress men including MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam, Ministers, MLAs, party workers and members of the Seva Dal. On his arrival, Chauhan called on the Governor at Raj Bhawan along with Gaikhangam. After a short break at Raj Bhawan, Chauhan then proceeded to RIMS to look into the development works being taken up there. L...