272 Startup Beneficiaries
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren handed over a total monetary assistance of Rs. 525.09 lakh to 272 startup beneficiaries at the Manipur Start-Up Conclave-2020 at City Convention, Imphal on September 11.
Reports say, those who received assistance included eight beneficiaries in StandUp category, five in Revenue Stage and 259 in Idea Stage of the scheme. Manipur StartUp has four categories – Revenue, Idea, Entrepreneurs Support Scheme (ESS) and StandUp Manipur. The StandUp has been added in 2019-20 to promote the first time venture of SC/ST/OBC/women/Minority/differently-abled entrepreneurs.
Since 2017-18 benefit has been provided to 877 StartUps. A beneficiary can avail up to Rs 1 crore with 30% subsidy depending on the scale of their business.
Framework Agreement
The Steering Committee of NSCN (I-M) ‘Major’ (retired) Hutovi Chishi in a press release on September 11 said the Framework Agreement (FA) was not published to public domain right after the signing as competencies were yet to be worked out and the contents needed safeguarding before the completion of the competencies that will determine the new relationship between India and the Nagas.
“We have had bitter and bloody experiences with the 16 Points Agreement and Shillong Accord. Naga people should not allow such blunders to be repeated under the ongoing Naga political negotiation,” the release further added.
“While appreciating the genuine concern of the Naga people to know the details of the competencies, we are constrained to inform you that some of the competencies are still under hectic negotiation as you all are aware of,” it added.
Namrei Villagers Confront AR
A violent confrontation took place between the womenfolk of Namrei village in Ukhrul district of Manipur and the personnel of 27 Assam Rifles who allegedly apprehended three NSCN (I-M) cadres from the village early morning on September 11.
The 27 Assam Rifles personnel reportedly raided a house at the village following a tip-off but womenfolk in the village came out in large numbers to protest against the act of Assam Rifles.
The protest took an ugly turn when the CO of 27 AR allegedly slapped the secretary of Namrei Shanao Long, Sothingla Shatsang. Later, the CO apologised, reports added.
Teachers Day Awards
The state teachers’ awards 2020 have been presented to seven teachers on the occasion of Teachers Day celebration held at Babupara on September 5, according to reports.
However, this year there were no national teachers awards for the state’s teachers which is unlike previous years when teachers from the state have been honored with national awards.
Rs 2.5 Cr Drugs Seized
Amidst COVID-19 lockdown restrictions drug smuggling continues to surge. Drugs worth around Rs. 2.59 crore in the international market were seized by the police on Moreh-Imphal highway on September 10.
Reports said that a team of Tengnoupal district police including commandos halted a car (Maruti Alto) at Tengnoupal police check-post at around 2 pm on September 11 which was heading towards Imphal from the direction of Moreh. On checking the car, 53 packets of Brown Sugar were found. Subsequently, Md. Salim Khan, 27 of Sora Maning Leikai who was driving the car was arrested along with the contraband, said the SP.
Further, 50 other packets of Brown Sugar were found concealed on checking another car (Hyundai Verna) at the same check-post at around 5.30 pm.
The second car driven by one Laljuithang Gangte of Moreh Ward No 9, Moulhoi Part 3 was also heading towards Imphal from Moreh.
Controversial Gallantry Award
The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed DGP, Manipur and principal secretary, home to submit the detailed reports of inquiry report on the prevailing controversy regarding the gallantry award to a police SI, Bheishamayum Debson now serving as Imphal East Commando who was arrested with drugs worth more than Rs. 3 crore in 2013.
Reports said the MHRC has registered a case filed by Human Rights Initiative (HRI), praying to the commission to monitor the inquiry report of the case. The detailed inquiry report of the matter is to be submitted by September 17 for further proceeding and recommendation.
Reunited Man Hangs Himself
Khomdram Gambhir, who was reunited with his family two years ago, after having gone missing for 40 years, allegedly committed suicide by hanging on September 10, the World Suicide Prevention Day.
It may be mentioned that late Gambhir was brought back from Mumbai to his birthplace at Khumbong in Imphal West on April 19, 2018 by a team of Patsoi police station from Bandra, Mumbai after being missing for 40 years. Gambhir was serving in Manipur Rifles before his disappearance 40 years ago.
Reports added that Gambhir frequently mentioned that he wanted to go back to Mumbai.
A street photographer based in Mumbai, Firoze Shakir had uploaded a video clip of Gambhir in October 2017 who was seen loitering and singing an old Hindi song in Mumbai. After his family members saw the video in 2018, they reported the matter at Patsoi police station.
Biswajit Tests Positive
Works Minister Th Biswajit Singh has tested positive for Covid-19 along with his daughter and a helper in the family and will be under home isolation, the IFP has reported.
Dialysis Centre
Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has inaugurated a dialysis treatment centre at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital that will provide its facilities to the poor patients also so that they don’t have to go outside the state for treatment, a report said.
