Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on June 1 called upon all underground groups based in Manipur and operating in Myanmar to come forward to negotiate with the Government of India for peace talks.
Chief Minister Biren said this during the Homecoming Ceremony of 14 cadres of the James faction of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA)-James where they including its Chairman Tonthang Singsit and Home Secretary Leijakhai Singsong, laid down their arms before the chief minister held at 1st MR Banquet Hall, in Imphal.
“I will take up all possible initiatives as a mediator. Trust me,” he said, adding that as “assured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his last election campaign in Manipur, no single FIR will be lodged against any UG cadre who are ready to lay down arms except for those who committed hideous crime”.
The surrendered weapons included two HK-33 rifles, one AK rifle, one A1 rifle, one A2 rifle, three single barrel rifles and three small arms along with one Chinese hand grenade, 18 gelatin sticks, 18 detonators and assorted ammunition.
Asserting that the state has started witnessing developmental growth, irrespective of geographical differences in both hills and valley, he apprised all the cadres of proscribed UG groups, who joined the UG groups due to desperation, to come back home.
No Compromise on Territory: UCM
UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said the people of Manipur will never compromise on the territorial boundary of Manipur while the central government tries to bring friendship with Myanmar and to fulfil Act East Policy.
A team of UCM, along with media persons, visited the border pillar number 81 near Kwatha Khunou on May 31. During the visit the abandoned international security border fencing was found to have been constructed 1 kilometre within the Indian Territory by the Border Road Task Force under the supervision of the Union Home Department.
International border security fencing near border pillar number 81 was abandoned by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) on August last due to border dispute issue. People of the state also wanted to bring friendship with Myanmar however, the construction work should resume after the border dispute is solved. Construction work of security fencing must be stopped and the central government must give priority on solving the border dispute immediately, he added.
MPCC on Border Pillar Dispute
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Keisham Meghachandra has reaffirmed that the party’s fight for Indo-Myanmar border pillar will continue until the state government takes up necessary steps to settle the long pending dispute.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan on June 1, Meghachandra said that it is unfortunate to learn about the continuous construction of border fencing along Indo-Myanmar region despite various civil voluntary organisations demanding to halt it until dispute is settled. MPCC has also been urging the authorities concerned for finalisation of the long pending Indo-Myanmar border pillar issue, the party president said.
But unfortunately, they didn’t receive any response from the state government till date. Nevertheless, the party will never give up the issue until it is resolved or settled, Meghachandra said, adding that they will relook at the latest development taking place along disputed areas of the Indo-Myanmar region. In accordance with it, further course action would be taken, he added.
Rs 3,500 Crore From World Bank For Concrete Roads
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on June 1 announced that the Central Finance Committee has given approval to seek Rs 3,500 crore from World Bank for building of concrete roads in the state to prevent frequent damages of roads in Manipur.
This announcement was made while he was speaking to the media at the state BJP office located at Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal. He said people have been facing frequent road damages during the rainy seasons. BJP will bring development in a phase-by-phase manner as progress can be made one at a time, he added.
Former Congress MLA Alfred Kanngam Calls For Strong Media
Former Congress MLA of Ukhrul Assembly Constituency Alfred Kanngam Arthur has called for a strong media that fearlessly reports the truth for the greater good of the country.
Reports said Alfred was speaking at the 1st anniversary of The Tangkhul Express (TTE) held at Zimik plaza, Viewland Bazar in the heart of Ukhrul town on June 1. Stressing on the importance of media, he said that in the context of India, the legislature, executive and judiciary alone is not enough. Therefore, the media has been accorded the status of fourth estate even though they may not be part of the institutionalised governance to ensure proper checks and balances in the governance of the country. He reiterated that under the fundamental rights of the Indian Constitution, the media has been given enough power to exercise their rights through the freedom of expression.
“Fearlessly reporting based on the truth is the need of the hour,” he said and assured TTE that he will pay 10-month salary from his end. “Truth never goes away. The strength of the media will never go away. Let not evil be a part of your team. Media is not for listening to soothing words. Media is solely for the truth and the true media is wedded with the cardinal principle of truth,” he emphasised.
Land Policy For Welfare of Farmers
Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs RK Ranjan on May 31 stated that there is a likelihood of bringing reform in land policy in the country, considering the inconveniences caused to farmers in availing the benefit of agriculture-related schemes.
RK Ranjan was speaking during the programme of Prime Minister’s nationwide interaction with various beneficiaries/schemes of the government of India through webcast held at ICAR Manipur Centre on May 31.
Reports said, addressing the function as Chief Guest, RK Ranjan said that with the advent of Modi-led BJP government, as many as 180 people’s-oriented schemes have been launched to be implemented by around 16 government departments. However, many farmers are still not availing many welfare schemes meant for them due to absence of land record as majority of farmers are tenants, the Union Minister of State said.
Village Map Manipulation
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West on June 1 remanded two aged men in 15-day judicial custody till June 15 in connection with a case of manipulating the original map of 17-Chaobok revenue village.
Retired head draughtsman Soibam Luke Singh,74, son of (Late) S Manaobi Singh of Singjamei Wangma Bheigyabati Leikai, Imphal-East district was arrested on May 29 while retired Supervisor Kanungo (SK), Revenue Department Okram Munal aka Maimu, 69, son of (Late) O Chaoba Singh of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Babu Bazar, Thoubal district was arrested on May 30.
As per the complainant, the map and original P-70 sheet no 4 (1986-87 survey) of 17-Chaobok revenue village was manipulated by the accused persons, reports said.
It is alleged that the boundary of CS Dag Number 3126 was erased by a sharp blade and redrawn to extend towards the protected Waithou Hills region and increase the same land area (CS Dag no 3126) which measured 0.0906 hectare to 0.9639 hectare.
During the hearing, it was submitted that during a spot visit of CS Dag No. 3126, a pucca building construction was found to be underway. However, the occupier i.e. Ashem Brajamani Singh is absconding to evade the police arrest, reports added.
Infrastructure For Pony Farms
Manipur Veterinary Minister Khashim Vashum along with officials of veterinary and animal husbandry visited Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, Imphal East and the campus of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, Lamphelpat, Imphal West on June 1 to set up required infrastructure for pony farms and their grazing fields.
The move came following reports of many untoward incidents involving Manipuri ponies which occurred due to their loitering in streets. Manipuri ponies have been frequently found loitering on the streets due to the lack of grazing fields.
During his visit, the minister inspected the present condition of the Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, and Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association.
Meanwhile, director, veterinary and animal husbandry Ng Ibotombi informs pony owners who have no facilities to take proper care of their animals to avail the facilities to keep their horses/ponies at ‘Marjing Pony Complex at Pangei, Imphal East, Manipur and Campus of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, Lamphelpat, Imphal West, reports added.
Gram Panchayat Member Jailed
The Special Judge (PC Act), Imphal West on May 31 remanded a member of Phumlou Gram Panchayat ward number 7 in judicial custody till June 14 in connection with misappropriation of MGNREGS wages.
Reports said the GP member has been identified as one Salam Radheshyam, 48, son of (L) S Ibochou of Loitang Khunou Mayai Leikai, Imphal West. He was arrested on May 28 following a complaint filed by additional SP of Vigilance and ANTI-Corruption PS.
During an enquiry it has been detected that the accused in collusion with others had misappropriated MGNREGS wages by crediting in different bank accounts of different persons without the knowledge of beneficiaries (job card holders) under Phumlou Gram Panchayat in the year 2019-20. The accused reportedly disclosed that he had withdrawn a total of Rs 86,384 for his own use by crediting different accounts of different persons as wages of the job card holders, reports added.
Demand For Separate ADCs
The Demand Committee on Creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of four newly created districts of Manipur has urged the state government for early implementation of separate ADCs for the districts namely Kamjong, Pherzawl, Noney and Tengnoupal.
In a release, the committee pressed its demand to be fulfilled based on the cabinet decision taken on March 27, 2021 and subsequent ruling of the High Court of Manipur passed on August 12 the same year.
The Committee drew the attention of the authorities concerned to work out the delimitation process of the district council constituencies in all the affected existing district councils and newly created districts at the earliest. It also demanded to conduct pending elections of 10 ADCs at the earliest. The committee will continue to struggle till the demands are fulfilled in the interests of the tribal people, the release added.
Awangbow Inspected Vulnerable Iril Riverbank
Manipur Water Resource and Relief and Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai and Kshetrigao MLA Noorul Hassan on June 2 inspected the vulnerable and degraded riverbank of Iril River and its tributaries.
Reports said during an interaction with the media, Newmai said that expert study and technique on soil condition is required for a permanent solution to avoid flooding and soil erosion during the rainy season.
For permanent solution of affected areas, the minister said that the department will submit a DPR to the concerned Ministry. In a first-hand visit, an expert team for scientific studies will take up the matter and more importantly, soil conditions should be studied first for appropriate work and technique to maintain the quality of the riverbank, the minister said.
Manipur Congress forms Political Affairs Committee
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has formed “Political Affairs Committee ” comprising 16 Congress leaders during the 2-day Nav Sankalp Meeting of Chitan Shivir that began from June 1 as part of the party’s preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election.
Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan on June 2, MPCC senior spokesperson Ningombam Bhupenda Meitei said that as a part of initiative taken up by All India Congress Committee (AICC) to gear up for 2024 Lok Sabha Election, the party conducted the two-day Nav Sankalp Meeting from June 1 onwards. In line with the decision taken by AICC during Udaipur Nav Sankalp held on May 13 and May 15, MPCC also formed a “Political Affairs Committee” as a resolution of a two days meeting, the leader informed.
Bhupendra informed that some of the Congress leaders to lead the committee are MPCC president K Meghachandra; CLP leader Okram Ibobi, regular member of Congress Working Committee, AICC Gaikhangam, deputy CLP leaders K Ranjit and others, reports added.
Hmar Civil Bodies CM
Various leaders of the Hmar community led by Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate felicitated and congratulated Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on his second term as Chief Minister of Manipur at the CM Secretariat on June 2.
The leaders from Hmar Inpuii, Hmar Women’s Association, Hmar Students’ Association, and Hmar Artistes Association, among others also submitted a letter of appreciation to the chief minister to show the community’s trust in the chief minister’s leadership.
They also expressed their support to the government, and said that the Hmar community is a peace loving community and will always stand for development of the state, reports added.
ZUF Bans Mega Projects
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) on June 2 announced that mega projects in ‘Zeliangrong areas’ along with quarrying of stone and sand along the river banks are completely banned with immediate effect.
In a release issued by its information and publicity department, ZUF stated that rivers and streams are contaminated with chemical elements and become a health hazard mainly from the construction of Trans-Asian Railway from Jiribam to Imphal, National Highway and other mega projects in Zeliangrong areas. Quarrying of stone and sand along the river bank has also caused different forms of diseases.
Any defaulter who is found practicing these methods will be penalised with stringent actions, ZUF cautioned. Companies and agencies working in Zeliangrong areas are to obtain prior consent from the front before undertaking any projects, the release stated.
The ZUF welcomes all forms of development projects and programs taken up by both the state and national governments. However, all the companies and agencies working in Zeliangrong areas should maintain genuine work quality, the release warned.
The ZUF also cautioned all the villages not to employ non-conventional methods of fishing by poisoning, use of electric and inverters, bleaching powder etc.
Govt Preserving Manipur’s Political History
MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand on June 3 stated that the state government is able to preserve the state’s political history with the collection of records and archives at the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives at the old assembly complex.
He said the same while speaking during the inauguration of the renovated building of the Manipur Legislative Assembly guest house located at Majorkhul. Khemchand highlighted that the state government has been initiating various steps since 2017 to facelift infrastructures related with the state assembly. One of them is the renovation of the guest house which has been lying in a deplorable condition.
The minister recounted that he was amazed to witness the political history of India being preserved at the parliament house during official visits and was inspired to preserve the same for Manipur, reports added.
State-of-The-Art Machines For Cancer Treatment
Regional Institute of medical Science (RIMS), Imphal on June 1 installed and formally introduced CRYOSTAT (Frozen Section) and AUTOMATIC IHC STAINER (Ventana) at the Department of Pathology. With this the Department of Pathology, RIMS, Imphal has achieved a milestone for cancer treatment under the leadership of Prof A Santa Singh, Director, RIMS, Imphal, said a press statement released on the occasion.
During the inaugural function, Prof A Santa stated that the CRYOSTAT machine will immensely help surgeons during oncosurgery (Cancer Surgery). This machine will enable us to give intraoperative report for clearance of cancer margin within a few minutes. Also it will help the Nephrology and Dermatology Department for Immuno fluorescence study during full work up of the patients.
The VENTANA Automatic Immuno Histo Chemistry (IHC) Stainer is a state of art instrument at par with highest oncology centres of our country for molecular diagnosis of cancer. This instrument has standardised Immuno Histo-Chemistry as compared to manual methods being used at present. Immuno Histo-Chemistry (IHC) will help in diagnosis and sub typing of many malignancies.
