Manipur Government will monitor Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in the state including funding and bank. Every police station of the state also will have cybercrime unit while all the districts will have one prosecution officer each and two public prosecutors.
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren disclosed this after convening a meeting on strengthening internal security with top civil and police officials of the State Government at the CM Secretariat in Imphal on November 4, 2022.
Chief Minister Biren told media persons after the meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah strongly called for strengthening internal security during the ‘Chintan Shivir’ for home ministers of states held in Surajkund, Haryana recently.
During the Chintan Shivir, both the PM and the Union home advised states to take up necessary steps to strengthen internal security and accordingly convened the meet on November 4, 2022 with top civil and police officials of the State, reports said.
The meeting mainly discussed about strengthening border security, ILP regulation, War on Drugs and cyber security in the State. To check the cybercrime and internel security the government has decided to establish cybercrime units in all police stations of the state.
Apart from this, every district of the state will have one each prosecution officer and two public prosecutors to assist them, Biren said, adding that director prosecution will collectively monitor all the units.
Biren said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right in saying that anti-nationals holding pens are more dangerous than armed anti-nationals and accordingly step in this regard has been initiated and a cell led by ADGP has been formed. The cell will monitor NGOs and CSOs working in the state including funding and bank accounts, reports added.
CM Biren Calls to Stop Playing Ethnic Based Politics
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren called upon the people of the state to stop playing ethnic based politics and instead cooperate with each other for a better and developed Manipur. He said that Manipur is heading on the path of development but vested interest groups indulging in ideas of separatism are slowing the developmental pace.
Chief Minister Biren was speaking during the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’, National Unity Day 2022, held at 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground on October 31. He said Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed since 2014 every year on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, reports said.
Biren also spoke about the huge amount of illegal drug trafficking to the country from neighbouring countries. “Many foreign countries are trying to destabilize the peaceful condition of our country”. He also emphasized that Central leaders are taking the issues of states very seriously, as any problems related to security and other reasons affect the whole country. He continued that the ways of tackling and solving issues related to Northeastern States has changed as the Central leaders think for the welfare of its people. The Chief Minister appreciated the Union Home Minister’s approach to UG groups asking them to come back to the mainstream, reports added.
Kut Festival 2022 Celebrated at Tuibong
The state level Kut Festival 2022 was celebrated on November 1 at Peace Ground, Tuibong in Churachandpur district with Chief Minister Nogthombam Biren gracing the celebration as chief guest. The celebration began with the Chief Minister hitting the traditional gong.
Speaking on the occasion, Nongthombam Biren greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Kut, the post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of people in the state. He continued that considering the difficulties faced by people from districts like Chandel, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur in attending the state level Kut celebration organised at Imphal, the government had decided to take the celebration to other districts too.
The Chief Minister further lauded the different cultural troupes showcasing their dance forms in their beautiful traditional customs. This is the beauty of India, the beauty of Manipur, the chief minister said, emphasising on the beauty of India’s Unity in Diversity.
Mentioning that Manipur comprises more than 30 smaller communities, the Chief Minister urged the people of Churachandpur to get ready for the state’s extravaganza Sangai Festival which will be celebrated in November.
The celebration was also attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Meitei, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs of different Assembly Constituencies, director general of police, officials of district administration, Churachandpur and leaders of civil society organisations among others, reports added.
MPCC Inspects PMGSY Road
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Keisham Meghachandra along with other party leaders on November 1 conducted an inspection tour along the road under PMGSY connecting Galkapkot to Gamhui village of Thanlon sub division in Churachandpur district.
Reports said the MPCC team conducted the inspection of the road which was constructed under PMGSY, after a complaint was made by the Gangte Tribe Council (GTC) that the construction certificate of the road was issued in 2020 without completing the road development work.
According to the GTC complaint, the construction of the 26km-long road costs Rs 8.29 crore and was divided into three phases, with the first phase consisting of only partial black-topping of the road while the second and third phases were still incomplete.
Charging the officials concerned of fabricating documents regarding the completion of the construction, MPCC President said, “The road construction is a calculated loot of public money as all the money had been withdrawn by contractor M Dama Vaiphei.”
The President Meghachandra assured that the MPCC will raise the matter to the higher authorities and urge for resignation of the officials concerned. The law of the land will take its due course and the perpetrators will be sent to jail, he said.
RK Ranjan Stresses Importance of NE Region in Act East Policy
Union minister of state for External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan has stressed the importance of Northeast region of India in the “Act East Policy” and “Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative”.
Addressing the opening of the Conclave, Act East to Indo-Pacific: Role of NE States in Connecting the Connectivities held in Imphal on October 29 and 30, MoS RK Ranjan said that the North East Region in general and Manipur in particular, is one of our gateways to the ASEAN and through neighboring Bangladesh or Myanmar are close to the Bay of Bengal. What goes on in the neighborhood deeply affects the region. The “Act East Policy” and “Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative” are key pillars of India’s foreign policy, deeply and intrinsically linked to each other in realizing the grand vision of a prosperous, connected, secure and open Indo Pacific. There is a need to delve deeper and understand this connection at all levels and the conference is aimed towards creating fresh narratives in that direction.
RK Ranjan further said that the vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific is fast taking centre-stage in the collective view of the global strategic community. There is a growing consensus that the region is one with great potential for trade, being naturally connected by shared waters; shared civilisation and shared values of trust for inclusive growth. In this context, the Bay of Bengal holds a strategic and significant position as does the ASEAN region. The Northeast region occupies a unique and distinct place in the overall geography of the Indo Pacific.
He mentioned that Imphal is a historic city that has had a special place in the history of World War 2 and has changed the course of the region. Thailand is currently the chair of BIMSTEC and a close ASEAN neighbour sharing many common threads of culture, history and lifestyle with the Northeast, he conveyed.
CM Attends Chaga Ngee Festival
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren while attending the 9th State Level Chaga Ngee Festival organised at Makuilongdi-II, Liang-Nam in Senapati district on October 30 said that the current government aimed to empower minority sections of the society and to take them along in the path of development.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren said that the state cabinet had earlier recognised the Chaga Ngee Festival and announced the day as a restricted holiday, considering the significance of the festival. Mentioning that we should know what we are, the Chief Minister stressed the need to remember the aged-old relationship among different communities and live together having respect for one another. Stating on the need to revive the facts of our history, he expressed his desire to include the history shared by different communities in the syllabus of school students.
The Chief Minister also informed that the Heritage Park which is being constructed at Makhel with the cost of Rs 6 crore would be completed before this year’s Sangai Festival. Continuing that the Liangmai community of the state had been deprived of access to certain benefits of government’s welfare programme earlier, he informed that the state government had decided to open a Sub-Deputy Collector’s office, which will be later upgraded to Sub-Divisional Office at Makui Village, reports added.
Imphal-Aizawl-Imphal Flight
Alliance Air, a division of Air India Limited, on October 30 launched its Imphal-Aizawl-Imphal flight operations. The flight was inaugurated at 9.15 am at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal.
“Happy to attend the inaugural of Imphal-Aizawl-Imphal flight operations of Alliance Air flight at Imphal International Airport in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju ji, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia ji and many other esteemed dignitaries from Northeastern states,” Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said in a social media post.
He also mentioned, “This was another significant milestone achieved in terms of air connectivity as the NE states witness the growth of aircraft movements under the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji’s UDAN scheme, which has made air travel affordable by upgrading airports, increasing air routes, and subsidizing air travel.”
According to Alliance Air, the Imphal-Aizawl-Imphal flight will operate five days a week – on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Imphal to Aizawl flight departure timing is 10.05 am and arrival time is 10:45 am, while the Aizawl to Imphal flight departs at 11:15 and arrival time is 11:55.
DIPR Day Held
Manipur celebrated the 74th Information and Public Relations Day on November 1 at the Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) Complex, Nityaipat Chuthek in Imphal. It was on this day in 1949 that the publicity office of the government of Manipur was set up with late RK Maipaksana as the first publicity officer.
Speaking during the celebration, IPR Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan stressed for need to verify fake and real news before publishing it. He recalled the recent IRB recruitment results which went viral on social media tiggering confusion among the netizens. The IPR Minister further stressed the need to store archive at digital platform to support future journalists.
Kangla Pao Chief Editor P Ibochouba received financial assistance under Manipur State Journalist Welfare Scheme on the occasion.
IPR Commissioner M Harekrishna; DIPR Director Heisnam Balkrishna; All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) President Wangkhemcha Shamjai, Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) President Khogendra Khomdram and Manipur Hill Journalist Union (MHJU) President Peter Adani also attended the celebration among others.
Six Cops Injured as Two Groups Clash
A clash broke out between two groups at Dingku road at around 10.30 pm on October 31 leaving at least six police personnel injured. Police arrested as many as 19 persons allegedly involved in the riots.
Reports said the two groups were engaged in a group fight at Dingku road near ISBT. To control the situation a team from Imphal Police station rushed to the spot, however, unable to control the situation. To control the mob, police fired tear gas shells and mocked bombs and the mob pelted stones at the police personnel injuring six cops. The situation was later put under control.
Bharat Jodo Yatra will create new India: Gaikhangam
Former Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam while speaking at the observance of the 147th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the 38th death anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Congress Bhawan, BT Road on October 31 termed the Bharat Jodo Yatra launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a ‘Second freedom movement’ of India.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the observance ceremony, Gaikhangam who is also member of steering column of All India Congress Committee (AICC), said that Bharat Jodo Yatra which was launched a month ago by Rahul Gandhi is going to create a new India which is free from any kind of suppression. The result of this movement would be seen in the next 2024 MP election, he said.
He further said that the Congress party being a strong believer of unity, integrity, sovereignty and secularism, Bharat Jodo Yatra was launched so as to unify India irrespective of caste, creed and community. The present BJP has been criticising the movement as well as other activities initiated by Rahul Gandhi. But the people of the country know the true meaning of the movement and started joining it alongside other political parties as well.
CLP leader Okram Ibobi said that the leaders of the nation like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Indira Gandhi are commemorated to let the present generation know their contributions in nation building or freedom movement. He recalled how Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue to deal with the Khalistani movement in Punjab to preserve unity and integrity of the country, reports said.
Koireng Tribe Demands Special Status
Koireng also known as Koren which is considered as one of the smallest tribal groups of Manipur estimated to be around 3,000 people has demanded a special status and adoption of the bicameral legislature in Manipur.
“The Koireng community is one of the smallest minority groups and it has no political space. The Koireng community and other minorities such as Aimol, Chothe and others are far left behind in terms of its socio-economy status,” said President of Koren (Koireng) Youth Organisation (KYO) RN Boipu Koireng.
Reports said he was speaking as the Chief gGuest during the one-day cultural exchange programme of the Koireng tribe organised by the KYO under the theme ‘Exploring Rich Culture and Excel Our Values and Identity’ at Longa Koireng village in Kangpokpi district on November 1.
He pointed out that the Koireng tribe has existed since 33 AD and has been playing a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of Manipur despite its endangered population. “The Koirengs should be proud of it,” Boipu added.
He, however, contended that the Koireng tribe is being isolated from various government benefits due to absence of voice in politics and administrations. He further drew the attention of the state government to consider establishing a separate state commission for minority tribes in order to address their grievances, reports added.
One Arrested With Opium
District commando, Bishnupur District Police seized 850 gram of Opium (Kani) and arrested a person from Loktak project crossing, at around 6.30 pm on October 31.
Reports said the arrested person has been identified as one Thangkholun alias Thanglun Haokip, 38, son of Ngamthang Haokip of Kuki Lamdan, Churachandpur. Thangkholun was arrested after he was detained by the commando team while conducting frisking and checking at the crossing of Loktak Project road.
Jiribam Helipad Cash Counter Robbed
Two unknown masked persons reportedly robbed a sum of Rs 10,07,900 from the cash counter of Harinagar Helipad, Jiribam around 2.10 pm on October 31
Reports quoting police sources said two unknown persons wearing face masks came in a black colour motorcycle at the helipad of Jiribam. One of them entered inside the cash counter and robbed the money from cash in-charge at gunpoint while the other companion was waiting at the gate of the helipad with the bike. After taking the cash, the two persons immediately fled from the spot in the said motorcycle. The said money was the sale proceeds for selling tickets of the day.
Pensions is Act of Insulting Us: July 15, 2004 Kangla Gate Protestors
Protestors who disrobed at the historic protest before the Kangla Gate rejected the announcement of awarding pension to them by a civil body of Manipur, stating that it is an act of ‘insult’ to their sentiments. On July 15, 2004 twelve Meira Paibis disrobed in front of the Western Gate of Kangla (the then headquarters of the Assam Rifles) as a protest against the brutal killing of Thangjam Manoroma after been picked up by Assam Rifles from her home in the night. Of the 12 Meira paib imas (mother or elderly woman), three of them have already succumbed to their illness and old age.
Th Ramani, who was one of the 12 protestors, informed the media on November 3 at Manipur Press Club in Imphal that an Imphal based CSO on October 26 had announced awarding a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 per month to the protesters. Such an announcement without even consulting the nine protesters who are still alive is unfortunate, she said. “It is considered as an attempt to tarnish our image with money.”
“The incident of the brutal killing of Manoroma after being picked up from her residence by issuing a warrant still haunts us and the flame of anger is still burning in our hearts,” said Ramani.
Poppy fields at Kangpokpi Destroyed
The Divisional Forest Officer, Kangpokpi has strongly warned of stern action against those indulging in poppy cultivation in the Reserve Forest area as the Forest Department and district police destroyed about 7-10 acres of poppy cultivation under Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi Reserve Forest (KKRF) November 4.
Reports quoting Neitinkim who is the Range Forest Officer/Headquarters, Kangpokpi Forest Division said a combined team of Kangpokpi Forest Division and district police led by Range Forest Officer, Motbung Range, in continuation of the Government’s effort on “War on Drugs” trekked the Kanglatongbi-Kangpokpi Reserve Forest hill ranges today to check for any encroachment and illegal poppy cultivation. The team came across areas with illegal poppy cultivation measuring about 7-10 acres and promptly destroyed it while adding that the Range Forest Officer has concerned already begun the process to lodge an FIR.
