The state was awarded the India Today’s ‘State of States Award’ for its good showing as an improved state during this year, even as the CM has laid the foundation stone for a new bridge at the mishap prone Irang Bridge. Meanwhile, the HC has also asked for details of steps taken by the state government to check Covid deaths after a child rights organisation filed a PIL in the matter.
State Awarded by India Today
In celebration of Manipur being awarded India Today’s “State of the States Award 2020” for the most improved small state overall and law and order category, the planning department of the state government organised a special programme “Emergent Manipur! The Most Improved State’’. The programme was held at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound on December 4 attended by ministers, MLAs and officials of the state government.
Reports said the annual State of the States survey is carried out by the leading media organization India Today with an aim to find which of India’s states offers its citizens the opportunities, both at work and otherwise.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a government job to the next kin of Manipur Police inspector Lisam Premchand Singh who passed away after undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in an operation to seize ganja in Nambol in 2014.
The chief minister also announced that a posthumous gallantry award would be conferred on the late police officer, besides an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to his family.
International footballer Ngangbam Bala Devi, who is a constable in the police department is to be promoted to the post of inspector in recognition of her achievements, the Chief Minister added.
HC Intervenes on Covid Deaths
A division bench of the High Court of Manipur on December 2 directed the state government to submit a report on steps taken to tackle the surging Covid-19 related deaths as a result of alleged delay in hospitalisation of patients.
Asking for a report by December 15, the HC also asked for the policy of the state government on establishing a dedicated Covid-19 hospital.
The matter was put up in a PIL filed by the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) to ensure availability of adequate infrastructures and facilities of a dedicated Covid-19 care hospital, and effective implementation of SOPs.
Irang Bridge Foundation Laid
Chief Minister N Biren laid the foundation stone for a new four-lane Irang RCC bridge while the mishap prone Irang bailey bridge reconstructed by the 52nd Engineering Regiment at Taubam village, in Noney district was also inaugurated on December 2.
Reports said the Chief Minister has requested the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Committee (NHIDCL) to complete Makru and Barak RCC bridges by mid-January next year and Irang bridge by December next year.
The CM also stated that earlier the state had mainly relied on NH-2 Imphal-Dimapur road for transportation of essential items as NH-37 Imphal-Jiribam road was not in good shape. However, NH-37 has also improved in the past few years, he added.
The Irang RCC Bridge will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 49.31 crore by NHIDCL, reports added.
Thangjing, Koubru Protection
The Manipur government is to declare Ibudhou Thangjing, the sacred site of Lord Koubru, located at Thangjing hill range, and Lai Pukhri located at Koubru hill range as protected sites.
Reports said the government’s decision was stated in a notification issued by the Art and Culture department on December 2.
The department notified that any interested person may file his/her objection to the declaration of the said sites/monuments as protected historical sites/areas under Sub-Section (2) of Section 4 of the above Act within two months (60 days) from the date of the issue of the notification.
The mentioned sites will be declared as protected sites under Sub-Section (1) of Section 4 of the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976, it added.
Manipur UGs Held in Bihar
Two cadres of Kangleipak Communist Party – KCP (MJC) who were arrested in Bihar by a team of Imphal West police station and Jogbani police station, Bihar have been brought to Imphal.
Reports said the two cadres, Longjam Arjun Singh alias Naobi alias Ingba, 32, of Samurou Makha Leikai and Naorem Dilip Singh alias Wangamba Singh, 31, of Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai were involved in a number of crimes.
A combined team of CDO Imphal West and 15 Assam Rifles also arrested a UNLF cadre, Ngangom Shanta alias Mamo alias Michael Singh, 44, of Lousangkhong Awang Leikai from Pheidinga crossing.
Teachers Resign after Fracas
Teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), who were members of Manipur University of Culture (MUC) academic council, tendered their resignations on November 30. The teachers resolved to abstain from participating in any activities related to the university.
The decision was a fallout of the controversy over the denial of admission to students of three institutes in MA course of Manipur University of Culture.
Director-in-charge of JNMDA, Pukhrambam Bilash Singh said students of the MUC disrupted a meeting of the academic council on November 28 held at the varsity and also destroyed few properties of the university and a few of the teachers were also hurt.
Reports said the students of MUC were protesting against graduates with certificates from institutes not recognised by the University Grant Commission being allowed admission in the university.
Rs. 10 Cr Timber Seized
Troops of the Assam Rifles foiled an attempt to smuggle timber in Ukhrul district after they launched an operation in the early hours of Sunday and intercepted a convoy of seven trucks carrying smuggled timber near Koshu village. The seized timber is estimated to be worth over Rs. 10 crore in the market, it said.
