Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Women killed in New Samtal blast: In a tragic incident, three women were killed when a bomb exploded while they were working under the NREGS programme at New Samtal area in Chandel district at about 12 noon on Monday. The incident took place while the women were clearing the road. The three victims have been identified as Lhingkhonem (45), Hoikim Guite (45) and Paumeng Haokip (43). Many others were injured in the bomb blast. Nurses retract: Following the assurance given by the Health and Family Welfare Minister to consider at least some of the demands of the striking nurses after the end of the ongoing Assembly session, Nurses Association of Manipur has called off its cease work strike with effect from Monday. The decision to call off the cease work strike was taken after a serious deliberation on the assurance of the Health Minister during an emergency meeting of the general body of the Association, its general secretary N Memchoubi Devi informed. The cease work strike would remain su...

Unofficial ‘public hearing’ opposes NIT at Langol: Imphal, Dec 19: An unofficial ‘public hearing’ on the controversial issue of setting up the proposed National Institute of Technology, NIT, at Langol was conducted in Imphal on Wednesday by an independent non-government fact finding team of rights activists from New Delhi, led by Dr. John Dayal, member of National Integration Council. The ‘public hearing’, organised by the JAC for Protection of Residential, Agricultural and Wetlands, Langol-Lamphelpat and held at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, was attended by some 200 to 300 people, mostly those who would be affected if the NIT project goes ahead. Speaking to the gathering, Dr Dayal expressed regret at the imposition of prohibitory orders in Imphal West district by the district administration ahead of the public hearing. Under the Constitutional guarantee given by Article 19(i)(a) safeguarding the freedom of expression, people have a right to peacefully express their opinions and lis...