HC suspends disqualification of Thanga MLA
The High Court of Manipur on Friday suspended the June 19 order passed by the Speaker’s Tribunal that disqualified Thanga MLA T Robindro. The interim order was passed on July 10 by a division bench in response to T Robindro challenging his disqualification from the Legislative Assembly.
The HC has fixed July 20 for the next hearing.
Earlier, four MLAs of the Manipur Legislative Assembly had challenged their disqualifications and filed writ petitions before the High Court. The court directed the respondents to file counter-affidavits within 10 days and listed the matter for July 17.
The petitions were filed by Kshetrimayum Biren, Yengkhom Surchandra, Tongbram Robindro, and Sanasam Bira.
Manipur Dy CM Joykumar regains three portfolios
In a reconciliation between coalition partners NPP and the BJP three portfolios have been reallocated to Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar of the NPP. Joykumar has been entrusted with the charge of Finance, Science and Technology and Economics and Statistics.
The portfolios were reallocated after Chief Minister N Biren returned from his visit to New Delhi to meet BJP central leaders.
The chief minister had taken over all the portfolios that were held by Joykumar and the latter had remained a deputy CM without any portfolios.
Health Director gets Anticipatory Bail
The Director Health Services, Dr. Kangujam Rajo applied for and received anticipatory bail on July 8 in a case relating to procurement and supply of substandard N-95 masks. Rajo was granted bail till July 16 by the Imphal West Session Judge after an FIR had been filed against him by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption police.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Police has already arrested a Senior Medical Officer of the Medical Directorate, Dr. Mairembam Dinesh on July 7.
N-95 masks had been seized during a raid from the Central Medical Store of the Medical Directorate on April 17 following detection of soiled masks at the Churachandpur district hospital.
11-hour curfew
The 6 pm to 5 am curfew will continue in the entire state till July 31. As of now the order issued on June 30 stands amended by the state chief secretary’s order issued on July 9 and lockdown guidelines will be in force till July 31 or until further orders, instead of the earlier July 15 date.
Moreh residents ask for reopening of border
Residents of Moreh represented by the Meitei Council Moreh (MCM) have asked the state government to keep the border open for a few hours every day as the sealing of the border since mid-March has affected their lives adversely.
The MCM president, M Thoiba has said that the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions have caused a steep hike in the price of essential goods and people who depend on the border trade are hit hard by the restrictions at the border.
Rs. 1.07 crore drugs seized
An 18-year-old woman drug trafficker has been detained by the Anti-Smuggling Unit of the Customs Division, Imphal. Anandi, daughter of Md Ataola Khan of Phundrei Makha Leikai in Thoubal district was apprehended on July 8 from the New Lambulane tribal market.
Police said a total of 538.6 grams of heroin powder which had been neatly packed in 50 soap cases was found on Anandi at the time she was nabbed.
In another case an unspecified quantity of heroin packed in 62 soap cases was seized from an Eeco van on July 9 by the Bishnupur commando team at Napat junction under Kumbi police station.
Jangkholun Haokip, aged 27, son of Thangkhogin Lhungdim of Moltuk village in Chandel who was driving the van was detained at the spot, a police statement has said.
Another individual, Thanglal Haokip, aged 30, son of Mangjapao Haokip of New Songyang in Chandel who was on a Kenbo bike was also detained by the commandos. Police said the two disclosed on questioning that the drugs were brought from Moreh for selling at Napat and Kumbi areas.
Unlicensed food products seized
Unlicensed foods and drinks items under the name Likla Mix Fruit Jam manufactured by Thangjam Agro and Sana Nimbu Pani Lime Ginger and Pineapple Nectar manufactured by A Family Food Products were seized by the Food Safety Administration of Health Services Department on July 8.
The licenses for the two companies were issued in the year 2011 but remained invalid after online registration and license was introduced in the same year.
They are now liable for a fine of Rs. 5 lakh plus imprisonment for six months under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standard Act.
Draft State Drug Policy published
The draft Manipur State Policy on Substance Use, 2019 was published in the official Gazette No. 98 dated July 8, 2020, according to the Directorate of Social Welfare.
The draft policy is also available on http://manipur.gov.in and http://socialwelfaremanipur.nic.in.
Suggestions and objections, if any, have been invited and may be addressed to the Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) on or before August 8, 2020.
Assam Rifles Seize Arms, Ammunition
The Assam Rifles troops have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition near Langthabal in Imphal West district on July 7, according to the IGAR (South).
The seizure includes one country made AK Rifle, one .32 mm automatic pistol with magazine, one 9 mm carbine with two magazines, one Chinese hand grenade, 20 live rounds of assorted ammunition and two hand-held radio sets. The seized items are now with the Singjamei police station.
Death anniversary of Robinhood
The 5th death anniversary of Sapam Robinhood, a student who was killed during a protest demonstration demanding Inner Line Permit for Manipur on July 8, 2015 was observed on July 8 as “Lamjing Meira Numit” at Awa Ching in Imphal East where his memorial site is built.
