In an eventful week former chief minister O Ibobi was granted anticipatory bail in a money laundering case while Addl SP Th Brinda returned her police gallantry medal as the case in which she was awarded involving a former ADC, Lhukhosei Zou has gone in favour of Zou. Also, the MHRC held a review of irrigation canals with farmers, while two rapists have been convicted even as a IRB rifleman was held for raping a differently-abled girl.
Brinda Returns Gallantry Award
Additional Superintendent of Police Thounaojam Brinda on December 18 returned a ‘Chief Minister Gallantry Medal’ conferred upon her in connection with the arrest of Lhukhosei Zou and others allegedly with drugs worth Rs. 27 crores in June 2018.
Reports said she returned her gallantry medal a day after the special court NDPS acquitted the prime accused Lhukhosei Zou and six others on December 17 and ordered his immediate release from jail.
This was disclosed In a press conference held at Manipur Press Club in Imphal where Brinda stated that out of the nine people accused in the case, the court has acquitted Zou and six others.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, she said, “I feel morally inclined that I have not conducted my duty ‘as per the wishes’ of the criminal justice delivery system of the land. Hence, for the reason cited above, I do not consider myself deserving of the honour bestowed upon me by your good self. I, therefore, return the same to the state home department so that it may be given to a more deserving and loyal police officer.”
Lhukhosei Zou Acquitted
The Special Court NDPS, Manipur on Thursday acquitted former ADC Chandel, Lhukhosei Zou and six others in the drug haul case of 2018 citing the failure of the prosecution to prove the allegation levelled against the accused.
However, two other accused, Thangminlun Zou and Tung Khan Mung Zou have been convicted under section 21(c)/22(c)/29 of NDPS Act, 1985. The sentence hearing of Thangminlun and Mung Zou was fixed on December 21.
There are no allegations against the seized license guns involved in the case, and in the charge sheet the investigating officer prayed for dropping the charges of section 27 Arms Act against Lhukhosei Zou as no offence could be made out, the court order mentioned.
MHRC Hearing on Irrigation
A one-day ‘MHRC’s Mobile Hearing cum Farmers Social Audit’ facilitated by the All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association (AMPFA), was organised by the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) at Bishnupur aimed to review the functioning of the irrigation canals in Manipur.
It was highlighted that since the early 1980’s Loktak Hydro Power Project, Thoubal Multipurpose Project also known as Mapithel Dam, Khuga Dam, Singda dam etc., were initiated and constructed after huge acquisition of paddy lands but none of the canals have provided adequate water for irrigation and remained defunct since the projects commenced till date, the reports added.
Anticipatory Bail for Ibobi
A single bench granted anticipatory bail to former chief minister of Manipur in connection with the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate’s registration against the latter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The bail was granted after Ibobi furnished a bail bond of Rs. one lakh along with two sureties.
Reports said the bench directed Ibobi not to leave Manipur without permission from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Moreover, the accused was asked not to influence witnesses in connection with the case and also appear before the ED as and when required. The bench also granted the liberty to ED to approach the court if the accused fails to appear.
It has been alleged that during the check-in period June 30, 2008 till July 6, 2017, the accused in conspiracy with others had misappropriated government funds worth Rs 332 crore out of Rs 518 crore which were given for the development projects and works in the state, reports added.
JNIMS Staff on Mass CL
Teaching and non-teaching staff of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal launched a two-day mass casual leave cum sit-in protest in front of the medical superintendent’s office at JNIMS demanding the implementation of 7th Central pay commission.
Reports said the spokesperson of Teachers’ Association, JNIMS, Dr. Y Sanatomba has said 7th Pay has already been implemented for most of the state government employees since April 2019. However, the teaching and non-teaching staff of JNIMS are still denied 7th Pay, he said.
Water Amusement Park
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on December 18 laid the foundation stone for the first-ever water amusement park in the state in Imphal East district.
Reports said the amusement park would be constructed by Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd. at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crore at Thenggu Chingjin, Awang Potshangbam Khunou.
3.9 Cr loans for 1,520
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren distributed loans worth around Rs. 3.9 crore to 1,520 beneficiaries under the Manipur State Cooperative Bank Ltd. (MSCBL) in a function held at CM’s Secretariat.
Reports said the assistance was provided as part of Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to help the beneficiaries from different occupations like dairying, poultry, piggery, duckery, fishery, and also to run self-help groups. It was the fourth such credit linkage programme organised by the bank.
KPV Members Arrested
Police arrested four members of a newly formed “unlawful” organisation, Kankhu Phetha Volunteers (KPV) for allegedly circulating articles that could incite communal hatred.
Reports said LH Wolring, 68, of Lamtbung village in Chandel, Langhu Monahring Anal, 47, of Charongching village in Chakpikarong, Kothingwar, 27, of Tampi village in Chakpikarong and SP Kolome Anal, 50, of Khumbung Khullen village in Chakpikarong are the four who have been arrested.
The police recovered incriminating articles and pamphlets inciting communal hatred between communities, defaming organisations and individuals, including the chief minister of Manipur from a laptop owned by Wolring, the report added.
MPCC Condemns Cancellation
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) strongly condemned the cancellation of the cabinet meeting scheduled on December 16 at Kamjong and demanded the state government reschedule the meeting at the earliest.
MPCC spokesperson K Meghachandra, addressing media persons at Congress Bhawan in Imphal said cancelling the cabinet meeting under the pressure of the United Naga Council (UNC) is unacceptable and has dampened the dignity and morale of the government.
Govindas MPCC President
Govindas Konthoujam assumed the charge of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president when he was appointed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the presence of outgoing president M Okendro Singh and other senior Congress leaders.
Boyfriend Rapist Convicted
The Session Judge Imphal East convicted two accused in the infamous rape and murder of Ningombam Seityabhama Devi in 2013.
The two convicts are Kshetrimayum Biju Meitei alias Hollendro, 28, of Thoubal Kshetri Leikai and Toijam Thesuch alias James Bond, 27, of Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai. Biju is reported to be the boyfriend of late Seityabhama.
IRB Rapes Differently-abled Girl
A rifleman in 5th IRB was on December 15 sent to police custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West for four days on charges of allegedly raping a differently-abled girl who claims to be his girlfriend.
Reports said rifleman Khaidem Bishorjit, 33, of Yairipok Khoirom Leikai was arrested by Lamphel police in connection with a FIR lodged by the victim.
JAC Ultimatum on NSU
The Konsakhul Area Joint Action Committee (KA-JAC) has served an ultimatum to the state government in connection with the National Sports University (NSU) site issue.
Reports said in the ultimatum, the KA-JAC demanded the state government fulfil its four-point demands within the month of December 2020. The demands are for the state government to declare NSU as National Sports University, Konsakhul, five per cent employment opportunities to be reserved for land donors (Konsakhul villagers), fair compensation to be given to the land owner as per law of the land, and Konsakhul village should be recognised as a primary stakeholder and should be made a signatory in all the important land agreements.
CBI Raids AG Accountant
A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the residence of a senior account officer Budhichandra Naorem working at the Accountant General (AG) office and reportedly recovered Rs. 5 lakh in cash, gold ornaments worth Rs. 15 lakh, and land purchase documents among others from his Uripok Ahanthem Leikai residence.
Woman Drug Peddler Held
A woman drug peddler was arrested along with 10 kg opium in her possession from Churachandpur district by a team of Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB).
The woman has been identified as one Nengjahai Haokip, 50, wife of Haolet Haokip of Molenphai in Churachandpur.
UNLF Cadre Arrested
A combined team of Imphal East district police commando and 15 Assam Rifles apprehended a cadre of the proscribed UNLF from the hills of Yaralpat in Imphal and huge arms and ammunition were recovered.
Reports said the cadre has been identified as Hijam Binodkumar Meitei, 43, of Chairen Mayai Leikai under Sugnu police station.
