Imphal women protest violence against them and children

Imphal (Manipur), Feb 8 : Women in Imphal took to the streets here over reports of increasing violence against women and children.

The Conflict Widows Forum in collaboration with several non-governmental organizations organized the protest.


The protestors condemned the recent incidents of rape and murder of innocent women in the state.

They called for capital punishment for rapists and murderers.

Bimola Devi, the head of the Department of Political Science, Manipur University said, "These killings are very brutal and we strongly condemn them."

Govt asks MHRC to abort July 23 probe

Imphal, October 8 : Along with directing the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to wind up its investigation into the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident for the second time, the State Government has also asked the Commission to withdraw the summons served on the Imphal West SSP and Commando OC.

According to a reliable source, in a letter dated September 29, but received by the Commission only yesterday, Under Secretary of Home Department, Government of Manipur Priyadarshini Laishram directed the Commission, for the second time, to wrap up its investigation since a State-sponsored Judicial Inquiry is to be conducted.

The Commission had received similar instruction from the State Government last month as well.

The source further disclosed that in the same letter, the Under Secretary has also asked the Commission to withdraw its summons issued on September 29 on Imphal West SP and Commandos OC to appear before the Commission to record their statements on the BT Road incident that left two people killed, and five others injured in alleged police firing.

Regardless of the instructions, the Commission has taken serious note over the failure of Imphal West SP and Commando OC to appear before the Commission today for recording their statements.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued an arrest warrant of the two police officers.

Addressed to the DGP, the warrant has asked that the two absconding police officers be arrested and producing before MHRC by October 9 definitely, the source disclosed.

The Commission is likely to discuss the directives of the Government to wrap up its investigation into the July 23 incident.

However, it is very likely that the Commission would not accept the proposal of the Government, the source added.

Meanwhile, public protest over the July 23 incident continued with demonstrations in different parts in pursuance of the demand for punishment of the police commandos involved in the incident and resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on moral ground.

At Tera Lukram Leirak, Poirei Iata and Tera Lukram Leirak Apunba Nupi Lup joined hands in staging a protest demonstration.

Placards inscribed with slogans like 'Remove all black laws from Manipur ', 'Give befitting punishment to the police commandos involved in the BT Road incident', 'Take action against the police officers who are protecting the guilty police Cdos', 'Step down CM Ibobi on moral ground ', etc were seen.

Our demands are for Manipur, assert JACs

Imphal, September 29: Taking strong exception to the assertion of the people of Thoubal Leishangthem and Thoudam that they never took part in the people's movement, the Khurai JAC and the Lamshang JAC reminded that their demands are for the rights and welfare of all the people of Manipur.

A joint press release issued by the two JACs said that they were well aware of the divide and rule policy being allegedly played by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi against the people of Manipur.

Yet, the people of Manipur were cautious enough not to fall prey to such diabolic policy.

Apparently referring to the pamphlet distributed by some people of Thoubal Leishangthem and Thoudam yesterday, the JACs asked whether they could speak against the mass movement in case the tragedies befalling upon the families of Rabina and Sanjit fall on their own families.

"Should not they launch similar protest movements, if the victims belonged to Thoubal district and the Chief Minister happened to be someone from Khurai or Lamshang?", they questioned.

Questioning their capacity to distribute pamphlets at Imphal Bazar yesterday without any permission from Imphal West DC, Imphal East DC or Thoubal DC, the JACs said that some people would have been shot dead by police commandos belonging to Thoubal district in case any group belonging to other districts were distributing pamphlets.

As long as such attitude of the Government persists, development and progress would continue to remain out of sight, they asserted.

The JACs also condemned the gate-crashing and raiding the house of the Khurai JAC convenor by police commandos at about midnight of September 26 .

The state Government's treatment of the issue in such manner was nothing but stirring a hornet's nest.

Saying that they took serious note of some people openly belittling and challenging the mass movement though mass media, the JAC decried the alleged stepped-up activity of the Government to arrest protesters.

"The SPF Government should know that the people's movement cannot be suppressed even if the JAC convenors and all the members are put behind bars", they asserted.

It further alleged that the police and IRB personel recruited recently were not for protection of people but for guarding the relatives and family members of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Chief Minister Ibobi may be very dear to the people of Thoubal district for the benefits and advantages provided by him but to the larger population of the state belonging to other districts, O Ibobi is the most unpopular Chief Minister, they added.

Central team assures action

Imphal, September 27 : The official team of the Central Vigilance Committee which is currently at Imphal on a three-day visit to the State to oversee the mechanism of Public Distribution System has given its assurance to help in setting up fair price shops by the women-folk of Luwangsangbam Awang Leikai under Heingang Assembly Constituency in Imphal East District.

For the second day, the official team of the Central Vigilance Committee which arrived at Imphal yesterday, conducted public hearing at Hotel Imphal here today.

During the public hearing, representatives of the Imoinu Self Help Group, Luwangsangbam Awang Leikai complained that they have been receiving only 10 kgs AAY and BPL rice each and one or 2 litres of kerosene oil.

However, after 10 years and on learning about the visit of the Central Vigilance Committee, they were given 5 kgs of APL rice yesterday.

Further, pointing out that they have no place where they could lodge complaint in connection with denial of PDS items, the women representatives requested permission for opening a fair price shop to be run by themselves.

After listening to the complaint as well as request, the Committee chairperson explained that atleast Rs 1 lakh would be required for opening a fair price shop.

When the chairman inquired whether they would be able to arrange the money, the womenfolk promptly replied in the affirmative.

To this, the chairman suggested that opening of just a fair price shop selling only PDS items would not be enough and they should consider including everyday items like soaps, utensils, etc.

The chairman asked the womenfolk to submit an application if they intended to open the fair price shop.

Accordingly, an application in the name of Imoinu Self Help Group had been submitted.

Taking a cue from the proceeding hearing, the Luwangsangbam Matai Women's Welfare Association also submitted a similar application requesting for opening a fair price shop.

Representatives of Kongpal Mutum Leikai, New Checkon, Tamenglong Public Forum and social workers from Churachandpur district were among those who attended the public hearing.

From the side of Tamenglong Public Forum, it was complained that the PDS items allocated to Tamenglong district are being sold in black market and earning profit by the staff of SDO office.

It was also pointed out that last year, NSCN (IM) intercepted 10 rice laden trucks from Noney along National Highway 53 and the same were seized by the FCS Minister the following day and kept inside the police station.

However, no action had been taken up by the police and how the matter had been resolved is not known.

The complaint from the side of the social workers of Churachandpur district noted that PDS items are not being received by the people in time as there is problem of transportation.

In another complaint, it was pointed out that families under polling station no.4/3, Kongpal Mutum Leikai in Imphal East district are in possession of APL, BPL and Annapurna cards together.

The PDS items like rice and sugar were not provided to the beneficiaries in accordance to the cards with the agents maintaining that the card system is not applicable any more.

After the public hearing, the Central Vigilance Committee visited some of the fair price shops in Imphal East district and interacted with their agents to understand how the PDS items are being made available to the people and the difficulties being faced by the agents apart from explaining the measures to be taken up by the Government to improve the PDS system.

Imphal witnesses unusual Sunday

Imphal, July 20: Though it is a Sunday today, an off day for various establishments both the Government and the non-governmental, it has been witnessed that maximum number of people had thronged the market areas to do their daily marketings.

This was so because, after several days of bandhs and agitations in one form or the other, today was not just another Sunday.

A respite for the denizens of Imphal, the prolonged bandh of 72 hours has just ended last night called by a student organisation.

Unusually, the roads leading to the main Imphal market were too busy today, though being a Sunday, the traffic police had tough tasks doing their job.

The busy markets in Imphal remind of an eve of any major festival.

Meanwhile, in Manipur this July is predominantly a month of agitations both in the hills and the valley districts.

The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM)'s sponsored 72-hour Manipur bandh just ended last midnight demanding the release of the student leaders detained under National Security Act (NSA) in connection with the murder of a Manipur University scholar while the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) indefinite economic blockade is still going over the reservation issue.

The Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) had also called a 12-hour hill districts bandh on Friday demanding the holding of elections to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the five hill districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong.

From Monday onwards, the Naga frontal organisations' sponsored 48-hour bandh begins in protest against the Manipur cabinet decision of deploying Manipur police commandos and Indian Reserve Batallion (IRB) in the five hill districts of Manipur.

The United Naga Council (UNC), the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) sponsored by various Naga tribe based group have announced to call the 48-hour bandh starting from 5 am of Monday (July 20) .

Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) and ATSUM have pledged to intensify their agitations in the end of July while DESAM has threatened to take up drastic form of protest any time if the Government fails to address their respective demands.

Commandos,VDF now guard jails

Two Addl SPs, jail staffs transferred; four suspended

Imphal, July 11 2009: The State Home Department has replaced all the wardens of the two jails located at Old Lambulane, Imphal and Sajiwa with Manipur Police commandos and Village Defence Forc (VDF) from today.

According to a reliable official source, 30 personnel of both Police commandos and VDF have been assigned duty at each of the two central jails.The move has been taken up to prevent frequent quarrels among the inmates, maladministration, and to prevent UTPs from issuing extortion demands to government employees and others through mobile phone.

Under the new government initiative, the employees of the two jails have been transferred to various places.

Accordingly, the Additional SP of Imphal Central Jail, Phanitphang has been transferred to Chandel District Jail while the Additional SP of Sajiwa Central Jail has been transferred to Churachandpur District Jail.

Besides, several Jailors and staff of the two jails have been transferred to different places, the source said.

At the same time, four jail staffs have been placed under suspension on charge of availing mobile phone inside the jail and complying with the underground elements in issuing threats.

Though the identities of the four suspended jail staffs could not be established immediately, they include one Jailor, two Head Warders, and one warder, a reliable source disclosed.

A discussion on Demand for Grants is due on July 15 on the floor of the ongoing Manipur Assembly relating to demand No 7 (Police), Demand No 24 (Vigilance), Demand No 31 (Fire Protection and Control), Demand No 32 (Jails) and Demand No 33 (Home Guard).

The government is said to have initiated the move in order to defend itself and counter against the charge to be hurled by the opposition members on the day of the discussion on matter relating to the killing of Y Krishnadas and the involvement of some UTPs in the killing.

Diligent State fish farmers honoured fittingly

Imphal, July 10 2009: Along with honouring dedicated fish farmers, the Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Manipur, today organised Fish Farmers' Day, 2009 at the Imphal West District Fisheries Office at Lamphelpat here.

Fisheries Minister Md Alauddin Khan and MLA Mairembam Prithiviraj attended the function as chief guest and president respectively.

Pengba farmer Surchandra being feted

The main highlight of the function included honouring the winners of the Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition organised by the Directorate in 2008 with presentation of consolation prizes and inauguration of a Pawn Hatchery at the complex of District Fisheries Office.

Soibam Dhanabir Singh of Ningombam who produced 11,359 kg of fishes, Paonam Nilamani Singh of Hiyanglam Makha Leikai who produced 7,632 kg and Livestock Rearing, Fish Farm and Loktak Lake Development Co-operative Society, Thanga which produced 4,160 kg of fishes were respectively honoured with the first, second and third prize.

The prizes consist of cash reward of Rs 15,000, Rs 19,000 and Rs 7,000 respectively.

Soibam Surchandra Singh who participated in the competition producing 1,400 kg Pengba was also awarded Rs 2000 .

Recipients of the consolation prizes of Rs 1000 each include Joint Selungkhong Pisciculture Co-operative Society, Oinam; S Dhaballo Singh of Nongmaikhong; T Randhoni Devi of Sagang; Neikhai of Molsang; Oinam Gambhir Singh of Chingmei; Aphao Bhochung of Tolloi village, Ningthoujam Ibohal Singh of Laphupat Tera; Mutumyangbi Turel Ahanbi Dairy cum Pisciculture Co-operative Society; Ch Thungpao Aimol Kumbirei Village; M Khupreni Mao of Ningthoupham; Konuma Ngayok Marup, Komlathabi; P Razanglung of Tamenglong Headquarters; P Achun; Heramot Sorokhaibam of Yumnam Khunou; Kh Swami Meetei of Mayang Imphal; S Dhamesh Singh of Laphupat Tera; S Sopa of Unapal village, Tongbram Hoinu Singh of Keirenphabi and Kabri of Paomata Village.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Minister Md Alauddin Khan pointed out that inspite of vast potential, Manipur has not been able to produce adequate quantity of fishes as there is no budget allocation for the purpose on one hand and failure of adopting scientific method of rearing fishes among the fish farmers.

The Minister also said that with inauguration of the Pawn Hatchery today, efforts should be made to ensure production of adequate quantity of Prawn by this year's Ningol Chakkouba.

Apart from releasing book titled 'Anouba Ngagok Pathap Neinarol' published by the Fisheries Department, two District Fisheries Officers who contributed their mite in enhancing the production of fishes both in the hills and the valley were also felicitated with cash reward of Rs 5000 each at the occasion.

The two Fisheries Officers thus honoured as Chief Executive Officer of Imphal E Sulochana Devi and District Fisheries Officer of Churachandpur CK Gangte.

Imphal west has highest number of job seekers

Imphal, July 5 : In the records of the state employment exchange at Lamphelpat in Imphal West, the district has recorded the highest number of job seekers among the nine districts of Manipur i.e 2,15,001 job seekers among whom 1,49,561 are male and 65,440 female.

The record of the unemployed government job seekers reached 6,43,652 till May, said a report of the exchange. Out of 6,43,652 job seekers in the state, 4,65,955 are male and 1,77,697 female.

The Imphal west district recorded 2,15,001 job seekers out of which 1,49,561 are male and 65,440 female whereas in Thoubal district the total number of job seekers was 95,960 persons out of which 75,945 are male and 20,015 female.

The Imphal east district recorded 91,439 out of whom 65,361 are male and 26,078 female. In Thoubal district the total number of job seekers was 95,960 out of which 75,945 are male and 20,015 female. In Bishnupur district the total number of job seekers was 57,751, out of whom 42,647 are male and 15,202 female. In Churachandpur district the total job seekers were 58,619 out of which 44,135 are male and 14,484 are female. In Ukhrul district the total number of job seekers was 26,350, out of whom 18,392 are male and 7,958 female. In Senapati district the total job seekers were 48,095, out of whom 34,935 are male and 13,160 are female. In Tamenglong district the number of job seekers was 19,372 out of whom 14,759 are male and 4,613 female, whereas in Chandel district the job seekers number was 23,518, out of whom 16,222 are male and 7,296 are female.

The special employment exchange for the handicapped also recorded 2,241 job seekers in the state and for the record 1,527 of them are male and 714 female.

The University Employment Information and Gaurdian Bureau, Canchipur also recorded 5,306 job seekers in total, out of which 2,569 are male and 2737 female.

It may be mentioned that in the month of April 2009 the record of the government job seekers under the employment exchange at Lamphelpat was 6,42,698.

Case of kidnap and killing of contractor Krishnadas Police nab one woman

Imphal, June 14 : A team of Imphal West district police commando led by OC, Th Krishnatombi succeeded in entrapping a woman who had collected the package of Rs 25 lakh from the wife of the slain contractor, Yengkhom Krishnadas as ransom for his safe release from the clutch of his kidnappers.

Seram Ongbi Ashalata (39), wife of Seram Ramchandra of Sayang Road Konthoujam Leikai, was arrested yesterday.

She is said to have been running a rice hotel under the name of "Junction Hotel" at Keishampat Ahei-bam Leikai (Churachandpur Bus Parking) since last few years.

Mother of slain Krishnadas cries her heart out during a protest

Imphal Police Station has registered an FIR No.188 (6) 09 against her under IPC Section 364/364 A, 457/34,25 (1-B).She was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal Dr Shantibala and was remanded in police custody till June 19.A police officer who requested anonymity informed this newspaper that a group of four women including Bimola, wife of the slain contractor, had handed over the amount of Rs 25 lakh to one Seram (O) Ashalata.

The amount was handed over to the woman at a place near 'EMA' Church located at Tera Keithel around 5pm on June 11.The accused woman has also admitted that she received the money.

She revealed that she was accompanied by a four-year-old child, the daughter of a distant relative of her husband, Ramchandra, while going to receive the ransom amount.

The police source further claimed to have established that the child was a daughter of one, Ibochou of Sayang Konthoujam Leikai.

Ashalata is said to have revealed that the huge amount which she bundled inside a shopping bag was handed over two men who came on a Nova Scooter.

However, the source refused to divulge as to which underground groups the two men belong.

The police interrogation is going on and all out efforts have been made to net all involved persons in the incident.

Meanwhile, a source said that, based on the information provided by the relatives of Krishnadas on the description of the woman who received the ransom amount and the child she accompanied, the OC of Imphal West police commando Krishnatombi sought the help of the locals near EMA Church at Tera Keithel.

The locals, who came to know the situation and were pitied by the incident, had provided clues which help the police later in the arrest of Ashalata.

At the same time, the indefinite general strike called by the JAC against the brutal killing of Yengkhom Krishnadas has thrown normal life out of gear in Kakching.

Report of some vehicles being destroyed has been received while thousands of people staged a sit in protest at Kakching Bazar today.

However, the strike was reported to have less impact in Imphal and other districts of the state.

Vehicles, including passenger buses were seen plying on the road as normal day.

Shops at Khawairamband bazaar were opened as usual business.

The strike is also reportedly not effective in Thoubal district barring Kakching and its surrounding areas.

In the meantime, the JAC against the brutal killing of Yengkhom Krishnadas has appealed to the Chief Minister of the state to book the culprits involved in the murder of Y Krishnadas as soon as possible and give appropriate punishment.

It also stated that the JAC will not claim the dead body until the demands are met.

It further informed that a general meeting of the JAC comprising representatives from all the Civil Organisations of the state will be held at Kakching at 10.30 am on June 14 to discuss on the issue and to chart out further course of agitation.

The statement further urged the state government to act promptly in booking the culprits as soon as possible and punish them in public.

Shutdown over killing of a professor cripples life in Manipur

Imphal, May 28 : Normal life came to a standstill in Imphal on Tuesday after the students’ union gave a call for a 24-hour shutdown to protest against the killing of a professor of Manipur University.

56 year-old Mohammad Islamudin, a professor of economics and former Dean of Students’ Welfare, was gunned down by unidentified persons on Monday in the university campus at Canchipur.

Earlier, the Pangal Students’ Organisation (PSO) had called for a 24-hour shutdown all over Manipur to protest against the brutal murder of their professor whom they held in high esteem.

Markets, businesses establishments, educational institutions, banks and offices of private enterprises remained closed, while public transport between Manipur and neighbouring states were suspended.

Local supporters came out in large numbers in Imphal and blocked roads restricting the movement of vehicles by setting on fire tyres and wooden logs.

“A professor was killed by unidentified gunmen, so we are protesting on behalf of the students to express our anger and also our grief against the killing,” said Sakhitombi Devi, a protestor.

Job seekers duped by Imphal-based job centre

Imphal, May 8 : An Imphal-based job centre has allegedly duped gullible job seekers by calling them not only to appear in the interview for filling up post vacancies in mobile service providers, Vodafone and Tata Indicom but also making them to deposit money.

Disclosing this while taking to mediapersons at Manipur Press Club here today, the gullible job seekers informed that they have responded to the advertisement published through local newspapers by Brilliant Job Information cum Guidance Centre located at Nagamapal and the interview for the post of manager, accountant and receptionist in the two mobile service providers was held today.

However, much to the surprise of the candidates, there were no officials of the two companies to conduct the interview.

Rather the candidates who have applied for the post of manager were told during the course of the interview that is no post vacancy for manager any more only there is post for field work.

The candidates were also reportedly told by the officials of the job centre to come back along with their parents/guardians on May 9 as they need to deposit a large amount of money and out of the deposited amount, 40 percent is to be paid to the UGs.

The job centre had also alleged charged Rs 300 as the cost of the application forms and another Rs 200 as processing fee from the candidates.

When demanded for refunding the amount, the full amount had not been given, the duped candidates told mediapersons.

Boy abducted, Rs 1 lakh demanded

Imphal, April 30: MISCREANTS abducted a 7-year old boy from his own home at Lilong Hoareibi Turel Ahanbi under Lilong police station this morning at around 7.30 am and demanded a ransom of Rs 1 lakh.

One of the abductors was a known face, said the family member who informed about the abduction of the boy named Md Abdur Rajak son of Md Hesamuddin of Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi.

The boy was abducted by the two miscreants taking advantage of absent of his mother who was away to a neighbouring house.

The boy went out of the home with the two miscreants on foot.

The family also claimed that the two abductors were Md Saphao (38) and Md Habibur of Kwakta Khuman Awang Leikai and after taking away the boy, they contacted to the father of the boy Md Hesamuddin on Mobile no.9862626418 which the family came to know that their child has been kidnapped.

His father is animal skin trader and move to Moreh and other places frequently for his business and the abducted child was the youngest one of the four siblings.

The abductors today at 2 pm contacted to the father claiming that the boy is now in their custody and demanded Rs 1 lakh for the safe release of the boy.

They also asked to contact through the mobile number 9856757099 .

They communicate with the above number first but later they also contacted from mobile no.9615520865 and 98564228873, the family claimed.

Father, daughter shot dead by armed men

Imphal, Apr 12 : An elderly man and his daughter were shot dead by unidentified armed persons yesterday at Uyumpok Mamang Leikai under Lamlai police station.

The incident took place yesterday night around 11 pm and the deceased were identified as Laishram Ibomcha, 70, of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai and his daughter Laishram Ibechaobi, 26.

According to sources, during the night two persons came and took out Ibomcha and beat him up badly. When his daughter tried to stop the two unidentified armed persons from assaulting her father, the miscreants shot dead both the father and daughter.

Meanwhile, two suspected militants were shot down in an encounter with the Imphal east police commandos today at Chingnungkok under Lamlai police station.

The incident took place this morning around 11 am and the two persons were identified as Ningombam Open alias Leingakpa, 29, son of N Tomba of Ningomthong Kitna Panung and Soibam Narjit, 28, son of S Babudhon of Langmeidong. One carbine, one pistol with four live rounds and one hand grenade were recovered along with the dead bodies.

Development projects in Manipur endangering citizens !

Imphal, Feb 8 : Cases of allergy and asthma among the people has been on the rise as a result of the dust and other harmful particles in the air caused by the ongoing construction of roads and other projects in Imphal city, according to a study report of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases.

The report also points out that death of around 30 children in Tipaimukh sub-division sometime during March-April last year was simply due to lack of basic health care facilities in the sub-division.

It is said that digging up of the roads in Imphal in connection with laying pipeline of Imphal Sewerage Project, delay in black-topping of approach road after construction of bridges as well as deterioration in the condition of Tiddim Road and others leading to the city even before black-topping have all led to unprecedented level in the pollution of the air with dust particle.

When The Sangai Express conducted a survey in this regard, it was noticed that traffic police personnel on duty at various points of the city were wearing masks and pedestrians covering their noses and mouths with cloths to avoid inhaling dust particles.

Even though State Government has consistently assured of giving a new look to Imphal city along with black-topping of the roads after the onset of working season, the new look of Imphal still remains illusive from the view of the people.

On the possible health hazard posed to the people from being exposed to the dust particle enveloping air of the city, Additional Director of Public Health Dr Th Bhubonchandra observed that cases of asthma and allergy on skin in the State had been on the rise.

Instances of coughing, sneezing, etc are becoming very common as a result of inhaling these dust particle, he noted.

The Additional Director himself admitted that he too has been wearing mask and caps even while driving inside his car to protect himself from the dust particle.

On the other hand, death of around 30 children in Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district during March-April last year has been attributed to lack of basic health care infrastructure in the sub-division.

According to a report of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases forwarded to the State Health Dept, even if the main causes of the deaths were respiratory tract infection, the problem had been aggravated due to absence of doctors, other medical staff and necessary medicines in the hospital of the sub-division.

As to the hospitalisation of over 30 villagers of Misao Lhouvom located near Khuga Dam of Churachandpur district from an alleged unknown diseases recent, results of the clinical test conducted have been found to be negative as the villagers have suffered from fever, another source conveyed.

To contain outbreak of any disease at any time and place, the Health Department is prepared along with setting up of its rapid response teams, the source added.

Rs 19 cr spent on devt of Kangla

Rs 5 crore more to be spent on further development
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Lukhoi Wangkhem

Imphal, Feb 7 : If utlised properly, carefully and correctly, a sum of nearly Rs 20 crore is indeed a huge amount which would be sufficient for developing a smal town.

An almost similar amount has been spent on development and beautification of the holy Kangla during the past several years but much of the development is yet to be seen.

The state government has already used up Rs 19 crore in development and beutification of Kangla so far.

Another amount of Rs 5 crore is at hand to be invested in further development, according to a source close to the Kangla Fort Board.

As part of the development and restoration of the holy site under strict supervision of the Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, who is also the chairman of the Kangla Fort Board, the family quarters where Assam Rifles personnel were earlier accommodated, and till a few days back family line of 2nd IRB stayed, have begun to be demolished.

Till yesterday, 73 quarters had been razed to the ground.

Previously 106 quarters had been demolished, the source revealed.

Once the demolition work is completed and all the rubbles cleared, the authority will start taking up land development programme.

All restoration works will be done according to the photographs and documents of Kangla available at the British Library, and utmost care would be taken not to destroy even a bit of the originality.

Care will also be taken not to leave anything that reflects the previous occupancy of the place, ie Assam Rifles, the source said.

The source further disclosed that the Board is prepared to start restoration work on Utra Shanglen of Kangla at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.

The Board will determine the precise design of the Utra abode and start working soon.

Development work has already begun at the site where used to stand the tombs of kings.

At the end of the work, it is exptected to cost Rs 7 lakh, the source added.

Plans are also afoot for constructing an open air theater in front of the Govindaji Temple at Kangla.

Only religious functions would be allowed to be held in the place.

The source further said that the Department of Art and Culture, the Horticulture Department and the Archives are taking major roles in the onus of development and beautification of Kangla.

As such, people have begun to see the beautiful sight of Kangla.

Once the development works are over, the real beauty of Kangla would be able to be presented before the eyes of the whole world, claimed the source.

The source said that the completion of development and beautification of Kangla, of which area covers 237.62 acres, has been targetted at 2012, as new ideas come up, the work is exptected to take longer time.

The Kangla Fort Board will discuss and review the ongoing development works soon.

Smoking banned at RIMS

Imphal, Feb 7 : Though the state is yet to enforce the government's ban order, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital campus is the only place in Manipur wherein smoking is completely banned.

The authority of the premier medical institution in NE India has so far fined 37 smokers.

Ban on smoking in public places was in force since October 2 last year as part of it's anti-tobacco campaign in order to reduce Cancer cases in the country.

"Soon after the government announcement,we launched the anti-tobacco campaign here,so far we've fined 37 smokers", says Prof Y Mohen Singh,Medical Superintendent of RIMS hospital.

Each smokers was fined Rs 200 and the amount collected from them were used in procuring medicines for the hospitalized cancer patients at the Regional Cancer Centre(RCC).

After the campaign came into force, RIMS authority hardly finds smokers in their campus these days.

Prof Mohen under whose initiative the campaign is on while speaking to The Assam Tribune here said, "Unlike last year, nowadays we fined hardly a single smoker in a week".

This means that awareness on restriction within the RIMS campus has been increased.

He also informed that RIMS is planning to introduce four medicine stores to distribute cancer drugs at concessional rates.

Some of them were even short-listed for it,he added.

Prof Mohen,who is the in charge of National Cancer Registry program in the region said around 400-450 persons died of cancer annually in Manipur as the state's every 1 lakh population has 60 cancer cases which is more alarming than that of HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The sudden increase of the disease is because of prolonged use of tobacco,lack of awareness and limited access to early detection and treatment services.

Prof Th Tomcha,Head of Radiotheraphy of the hospital sharing his observation on 'prevention and early detection of cancer' said 30 to 50 percent of cancers could be prevented once tobacco (smoking) is avoided.

He opined that if the current trend of consuming Zarda Pan among the youngsters continues, then the cases of oral cancer would rise alarming after 10-20 years.

"Those who smokes 20 sticks of cigarette in a day is 20 times more vulnerable to cancer than a non-smoker" Prof Tomcha said "so smokers should also understand their guiltiness as it affects the surrounding".

A total of 1234 cancer cases including 634 females were registered in Manipur during 2007-08.The rate of registration is on the rise as 39 per cent of state's population above 15 years of age are smokers, as per official records.Because of using tobacco, 96 per cent of state's cancer cases among males are lung cancer while breast cancer (or cervix) overcomes womb (cervix) and lung cancers among females."But 30 to 40 percent of them can be cured if they changed their lifestyle" Tomcha informed.

Cheranamei urges Union home and defence ministers to intervene in Siroy impasse

IMPHAL, Jan 29 : The Outer Manipur MP, Mani Cheranamei, has been lobbying frantically with the Union home minister, P Chdambaram as well as Union defence minister, AK Antony, for their intervention in the Siroy standoff between the NSCN(IM) and Assam Rifles and end the impasse for the sake of the safety of the villagers in the vicinity.

In two faxed identically worded letters to the two Union ministers on Jan 23, the MP said tension is simmering after 17th Assam Rifles troops encircled "the NSCN(IM) camp at Siroy Village in Ukhrul district of Manipur and erecting barbed wire fencing around the NSCN(IM) camp during the past few days."

Cheranamei`s letter also explained that "former defence minister, George Fernandes had stated in Manipur when he was defence minister that there is cease fire in Manipur for all practical purposes. Your honour also had rightly stated in the recently concluded parliament session that insurgents in the North-East are not our enemies but our own people."

He also noted that civil organisations of Ukhrul district had requested him to take up the matter with the two ministers for immediate intervention to avoid any untoward situations. "The women folk of surrounding villages have been camping round the clock between the AR men and the NSCN(IM) camp braving the chilly winter cold appealing both the parties to restrain from attacking one another. The public of Ukhrul district had also taken out a huge rally to put pressure on both the parties to avoid any untoward situation." the letter said.

In a follow up letter to Chidambaram, the MP Cheranamei urges Union home and defence minister to intervene in Siroy impasse explained in more details the background of the issue. "Sometime back I had circulated the memorandum submitted to the Hon`ble Prime Minister on the demand for a Naga homeland, signed by all the Naga MLAs and myself. I am enclosing a copy because it gives a background to the immediate problem which has forced me to trespass on your valuable time." the second letter said.

Giving more details of the peace process with the NSCN(IM), the letter said the process was set into motion at the instance of late Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao "to resolve the Indo-Naga conflict."

It was agreed that the talks would be premised on the conditions that it would be unconditional, it would be held at the highest level and it would be held outside India.

The letter said "I was informed that the 17 Assam Rifles has surrounded NSCN camp which has been established near Shirui Village without any provocation from the NSCN(IM) side."

It also said that 500 Assam Rifles troops have moved into the area and that they have erected electrified barbed wire fencing around the NSCN(IM) camp.

The letter further said the matter ought to have been left up to the ceasefire monitoring cell to decide whether the NSCN(IM) cadres were to go to the designated camps in Manipur or those in Nagaland. "Since last year there are three designated camps in Manipur, Bunning in Tamenglong district, Oklong in Sanapati district and Phungchong in Chandel district."

It should also have been left up to the ceasefire monitoring cell to decide whether there should be another designated camp in Ukhrul district, Cheranamei`s letter said.

It said the ceasefire cannot be partial and confined to Nagaland alone as the NSCN operates from all over the North East. "The ceasefire in 1964 till 1972 with NNC covered Manipur. Your honour will appreciate to know that Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah, Gen. Secy of NSCN, Mr. VS Atem, convenor ceasefire monitoring cell, (cental) and hordes of NSCN cadres are from Manipur."

It said "the fact that ten days have gone by and the issue has not been resolved and there is no authority which has the power to intervene is a reflection of how serious the problem is and does not bode well for the future. I also urge you to make cease fire formally effective in Manipur to bring better understanding between the negotiating parties and for smooth progress of the ongoing peace talk."

Agri officials inspect fields planted with seeds supplied by it

IMPHAL, Jan 28 : The seeds and grains supplied to the farmers for plantation as a part of the Integrated Pest Management Scheme under the agricultural department was surveyed today by the department.

The department inspected the plantation of pea plants under the IPM technology of the agriculture department at a 10 hectare area by the Youth Development Organisation, Lilong Keining Makhong, Imphal east and necessary organic manures, spray pumps and required items were given to the farmers.

Ph Rajen, deputy director and soil chemist of the agricultural department said that under the scheme various grains and seeds were given to the farmers from time to time along with organic manure and necessary items which were also given for better production.

He further added that although there was delay in supplying the items due to bandhs and blockades as the goods were brought from outside, the department managed to finally supply the required manure for improving production.

Under the IPM technology the mustard plants and pea plants were planted in 500 hectares and 300 hectares respectively and said that the department would also look upon them and supply the necessary items.

Essential items were also given to make up for the late plantation. Today the department officials also visited the mustard plant plantation in 32 hectares at Hourang Keiral in Imphal west district.

Manipur ZEO rubbishes allegations

Imphal, January 23: Imphal East Zone II ZEO Kh Amuba has rubbished the allegations of AMESTA Zone II that the Imphal East Zone II ZEO and DDO have not been giving salaries to teachers for three months as false and baseless.

Claiming that the ZEO and the DDO are working in the interest of teachers, Amuba said that he would not have any grudge when the higher authority takes up action against him in case the allegations of the AMESTA Zone II are true.

"As a ZEO, I have been working for development of schools and welfare of teachers after conducting spot enquiry at more than 100 schools", he said. He informed that works have been initiated to identify all the employees working in Junior High Schools and below under Zone II.

He also decried the act of AMESTA levelling false allegations against the ZEO and the DDO while there was no complaint from AMESTA.

Clarifying on non-payment of salaries for the months of October to December 2008, the ZEO said that the non-payment was not due to any fault on the part of the ZEO or the DDO.

Pay bill for the three months were prepared and submitted to the Additional Director in time.

Non-clearance of the pay bill may be due to certain problems in preparing MGEL and the strike launched by the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO, he said.

Power supply : Govt-public play the blame game My City, My Life

The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 19 : It is a a case of the Chicken or Egg riddle.

While consumers in most of the Imphal Municipality area contend that they are not that keen to pay their power tariff because of the extremely erratic power supply, the Government on the other hand contend that they are constrained to resort to long hours of load shedding because the consumers do not pay their power bills.

Advocate Moirangmayum Bimol Sharma of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak in IMC Ward number 4 aptly summed up the big losses incurred due to unavailability of power, when he said that there are times when no productive work can be executed since there is no power supply.

Moreover, since power is supplied most of the time only in the wee hours, it does not serve any real purpose.

In the absence of power a generator does the needful

Citing some basic but hard hitting examples, Bimol said the washing machine has been reduced to an ornamental gadget since it cannot function without power.

"I use the domestic connection, but practically there is no metre reading at all.

Every month I pay at least a sum of Rs 198 as power tax regularly," said Bimol.

"It would be in the interest of all if the Power Dept can put its act together and disconnect all the illegal tappings," he opined.

A carpenter at Uripok said that since power is supplied between 5 and 7 in morning there is not much work he can do in a day.

At night it is impossible to carry on with his task as there are complaints of noise from the neighbours.

The erratic power supply has adversely hit my productivity, he added.

"In the absence of regular power supply, we have to rely on the generator, which again means extra expenditure.

With the generator it takes a long time to build even the frame of a door and with carpentry products coming from Moreh regularly, we are in the danger of losing our earning avenue," said the carpenter.

The carpenter candidly admitted that he has not paid his power tax for about one year but added that occasionally some people from the Power Dept come and take some money.

Another man who runs a welding workshop along the same road said that since he has commercial power connection, he receives power from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.

Whatever work that is there to be done are done during this period and in case there is any outstanding order he uses the generator, which means extra expenditure of Rs 400 per day.

As power tax, he pays Rs 600 every month.

"I can spend the night with just a candle, but I need energy during day time to earn a living," he added.

The power crisis is not only in Imphal but in all the districts of the State, said Haobam Santosh, secretary of Yaiskul Voluntary Organisation.

The youth said that when the transformer in their locality conked out, the local people had to contribute and got it repaired for Rs 55,000 .

There must be around 40/50 unauthorised customers in the locality, he said and added that there have been cases of electrocution when some tried to get connection from the high tension wire, illegally.

Santosh contended that the Power Department seldom deliver the bill on time.

If the Government does its bit and implement policies and programmes that are workable, it would be better.

The Power Department however has a different story to tell.

Superintending Engineer of the Department, Kh Khamba said that there will be no shortage of power if the consumers pay their taxes on time and regularly.

Altogether there are 1,70000 consumers in the State and Imphal alone accounts for 70 thousand connections, said the officer and added that at present the outstanding due is Rs 146 crores including Rs 30 crores from Government Departments.

Despite this, the Power Department is doing its best and is supplying power for at least 4 hours a day.

Out of the total power supplied in Imphal, about 60 per cent goes waste, said the officer and added out of this 40 pc loss is due to power theft.

The consumers do not seem to realise that they have to pay for the power they consume.

They lack civic sense, said the SE and added that load surveys are conducted.

Consumers are also reminded to pay up their outstanding tariff under the Indian Electricity Act.

To improve the power situation in Imphal and to check power theft the Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme will be taken up, informed the officer and added that only 10 KVA transformers will be used so that a single household does not receive more than one power connection.

The biggest transformer in the State will also be upgraded to a 250 KVA line.

All the needed material for the proposed programme have arrived, said the officer.

The first phase of the programme will cover Paona bazar, Thangal bazar, Secretariat, Babupara and some parts of Keishampat.

The project may start from March this year, he said and added that there are provisions for consumers to utilise E-metre, prepaid energy etc.

On the other hand though the company shortlisted to carry out the cable laying work for the proposed programme has submitted the map where the cables should be laid to the Department about a month back, no final decision has been taken, said a source.