Even as political campaign by intending candidates of the different parties, in particular those of the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress heats up, Manipur’s notorious problem of political turncoats continue to sully the political atmosphere. The latest among these turncoats is ex-MLA, M. Prithiviraj, of the Congress who decided to desert his old camp to join the ruling party BJP in line with former Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Konghoujam Govindas who defected earlier.
Speculations are rife as to what the drama that unfolds would be, considering these defectors are entering into constituencies which already have BJP’s own loyal workers intending to be candidates in the forthcoming Assembly election early next year.
Elsewhere, the Manipur government is still grappling with the sensational and emotive case of the murder of prominent social worker, Athuan Abonmai and has decided to institute its own independent enquiry into the crime even as the NIA too has agreed to institute its own probe into the murder. Here are some highlights of the week that has gone by culled from local dailies.
Manipur government orders independent inquiry into death of Athuan Abonmai
The Manipur government on Friday ordered an inquiry into the death of Athuan Abonmai, advisor, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), with state additional chief secretary V Vumlunmang as the inquiry officer.
The government instructed the probe officer to submit his report within three months from the date of issue of the order. The enquiry will be independent from the investigation to be conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the findings of the enquiry thereof may be submitted to the NIA, the order stated.
The inquiry committee is also instructed to find the facts and circumstances leading to the death of Athuan Abonmai, fix responsibility thereof and to recommend preventive measures to avert any such incidents in the future.
The order has been issued in pursuance of the October 6, 2021 Memorandum of Agreement signed between the state government and the “Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Murder of Athuan Abonmai”, the order added.
Turncoat politics unabated
With the joining of prominent Congress politicians like M Prithiviraj and K Govindas to BJPManipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday assured that the BJP will get absolute majority in the upcoming Assembly election, 2022 and form a better government in the state.
The chief minister was delivering his speech during a programme organised to mark the occasion of M Prithiviraj joining the BJP at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal.
Prithiviraj is a former MLA of Moirang assembly constituency and a former general secretary of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).
MHJU new office bearers elected
Manipur Hills Journalists’ Union (MHJU) has elected its executive heads for the term 2021-2024 in the Press Club, Imphal on Friday.
Hornbill Express Senapati editor Peter Adani, Dawn Tantak Ukhrul editor Addie Chiphang and Zogam Today Churachandpur editor S Nengkhanlun have been elected as the president, vice president and general secretary, respectively.
In the election process chaired by Samuel Pao from Senapati and Addie Chiphang from Ukhrul as the Election Commission, the house also resolved to entrust the elected trio make appointment for the remaining posts of assistant secretary general, Information & Public Relations secretary and finance secretary cum treasurer in view of district-wise representation to the union.
Outgoing president Ramkung Pamei, who is editor of Tamenglong-based The Cham, in his farewell speech regretted for many things that he could not take up during his leadership as he had dreamt of and urged the incoming team to lift up the union in the interest of the people as assigned to.
Fake Aadhaar Case
Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West today remanded 11 Myanmar Nationals who were arrested while attempting to board a flight to New Delhi from Imphal using fake Aadhaar cards on September 30 till October 22.Meanwhile, our Moreh correspondent reported that one person who is involved in making forged Aadhaar cards has been arrested by the police, yesterday.
The person has been identified as Arvin Lalzamlova (30), s/o Lalpianga of Moreh Ward no 9.It is reported that Arvin made the fake Aadhaar cards for 3 of the 4 Myanamar Nationals who were arrested yesterday.
The 11 Myanmar Nationals were produced before the Court after the completion of eight days police custody remand by a team of Singjamei police team.
Wildlife Week at Khanarok
A one-day awareness programme on wildlife was held at Khanarok village under Chanam Sandrok gram panchayat as part of the 66th Wildlife Week observance across the state.
The programme held under the aegis of Thoubal divisional forest officer had active participation of Khanarok villagers on different aspects of wildlife related issues in Manipur and elsewhere around the world.
Speaking as resource person, environmentalist Salam Rajesh stressed upon the participants the need to protect pollinators like bees, bats and other birds so that the chain of cycle in production of crops and fruit bearing trees continue healthily.
The relation between humans and their natural surroundings is very important to vitalise the local biological diversity that provides food, shelter and medicine, he said.
Model villages declared
With the declaration of Japhou and Modi village as Model villages under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), Deputy Commissioner Chandel, Mayanglambam Rajkumar on Friday unveiled the monument stones of the two model villages.
The programme organised by District Administration Chandel at Japhou Village Community Hall was participated by ADC Chandel CEO, Ksh Siddharth, MCS; SAGY Scheme State Nodal Officer, Kh Ibochouba Singh; ADC Chandel ex-member, Manglem Monsang; SDO Chandel, N Pritam Singh, MCS and authorities of Japhou & Modi village.
