Manipur’s 15-year-old judoka Linthoi Chanambam has become India’s first ever gold medalist in any age category and across genders at the World Cadet Judo Championships.
Linthoi Chanambam became India’s first-ever Judo World Champion, beating Brazilian Judoka Bianca Reis 1-0 in the final of the -57kg category in the Cadet World Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 26.
Linthoi showed glimpses of promise when she won Gold at the Sub-junior National Championships in 2018, reports added.
Linthoi, who is part of Indian Inspire Institute’s Judo Program since 2017, has been on several exposure trips with the guidance of the institute’s Judo Head Coach Mamuka Kizilashvili including camps at the University of Tsukuba, in Japan, Georgia and most recently in Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the World Cadet Championships, reports said.
In November 2021, Linthoi struck Gold at the National Championships held in Chandigarh, followed by another at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships, in Bangkok, in July.
“I really don’t have the words and cannot explain how I am feeling right now. I only know that I’m very happy with this victory, and I hope to build on this,” said Chanambam, after her feat.
Reports and twitter posts quoted Linthoi Chanamba as saying ““I cannot explain now how I feel but I know I’m very happy with this victory.”
Second Manipur Olympic Games Kicks Off
After a hiatus of 34 years, the Second Manipur Olympic Games ahs been started on August 26, 2022 at Mapal Kangjeibung in Imphal. Manipur Governor La Ganesan kicked off the second edition of Manipur Olympic Games 2022. The Games will be continued for five days.
Speaking during the inaugural event, Governor La Ganesan expressed his confidence that the state would keep on producing many more sportspersons both at the international and the national levels in the years to come. He said, “Youths, who are highly disciplined, physically fit, mentally alert, spiritually sound and loyal to the country are needed at this juncture, much more than any other time in the past.”
Delivering presidential speech, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren expressed happiness that the second Manipur Olympic Games was being organised after 34 years. The 1st Manipur Olympic Games was held in 1988. He appreciated the organisers for the conduct of the sports meet with participation of a large number of sportspersons.
State to urge GOI to Enforce NRC In Manipur
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has assured members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and the United Naga Council (UNC) to forward the resolution adopted by the Manipur Legislative Assembly for enforcing National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state within August.
COCOMI Coordinator Longjam Ratankumar said that members of COCOMI along with the UNC called on the Chief Minister on August 26 to seek the status of the resolution adopted by the Manipur Legislative Assembly in its last session.
Members of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 5 had unanimously adopted a resolution to work for implementation of NRC and to set up a state population commission to check the demographic imbalance caused by influx of illegal immigrants. Thangmeiband constituency MLA Kh Joykisan had moved the private member’s resolution during the last sitting of the full budget session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
CM Issues ‘Strict Instructions’ On Drugs 2.0
Even as the War on Drugs 2.0 continues, arrest drug smugglers, seizures of drugs, busting of drug manufacturing labs are also reported and several civil organisations also continue to fight against alcohol-drugs menace in Manipur, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren August 22 chaired a meeting of all senior police and law officials regarding War on Ddrugs issues in the state.
The Chief Minister has given strong instructions to the concerned officials to take up stringent measures to tackle drugs-related issues effectively, reports said.
The Chief Minister also tweeted: “Convened a special meeting of all senior police and law officials to discuss some critical matters regarding war on drugs. I have given some very strict instructions for dealing with all drugs related matters.”
Four Arrested With Drugs
As a part of the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, the Kakching district police arrested four people and seized heroin and opium worth around Rs 4.07 crore in the international markets on three different occasions.
Reports said a team of Sugnu police station led by sub-inspector M Minabanda Singh under the overall Supervision of Shrey Vats, IPS, SP Kakching District on August 23 conducted frisking and checking along the Indo-Myanmar Road at Serou Lamkhai.
During the police activity, upon checking one Tata Sumo Gold vehicle (silver in colour) bearing registration number MN02A-7608, 108 soap cases containing suspected heroin powder were detected. On verification, the occupants were identified as Letsem Khongsai, 46, son of (L) Tilkhopao Khongsai of H Gamnom Village, Chandel District and Genkhopao Haokip, 24, son of Seikhojang Haokip of Songpijang Village, Churachandpur District.
The suspected drugs were found to weigh 1.429 kgs in total. On preliminary investigation they revealed that the suspected drugs were purchased from Myanmar and were meant to be transported to Churachandpur.
In another incident, a different team of Kakching district commando unit led by sub-inspector L Rocky Singh under the overall supervision of SP of Kakching district, detained one person identified as B Mustap, 19, son of Md Hakim of Moreh Muslim Nagar, Ward number 5 of Tengnoupal district near Kombirei English School, Phundrei Mayai Leikai, Thoubal district, on August 23.
From him 10 Soap cases containing suspected Heroin number 4 were detected. The person was subsequently arrested after observing all formalities. The suspected Heroin number 4 was found to be approximately 127 grams.
Meanwhile, a different team of Kakching district commando unit led by sub-inspector Robindro Brown seized 10 kg of suspected Opium from a culvert of Sugnu Chakpikarong road near the Moltichan Village junction, Chandel district on August 24. The seizures were made from one Lunreilhing Baite, 30, wife of Thangkhogin Baite of Molngat Village, Chandel district, reports added.
Torch Rally Against Drugs Menace
Meira paibis along with hundreds of people under the banner Poirei Leimarol, AMAWOVA, AMUCO and MSF took out a torch rally against the menace of drugs and alcoholism in the Manipuri society in Imphal on August 21.
Reports said the participants began the rally from Liwa Lambi, Singjamei in Imphal West and headed towards Hicham Yaicham Pat in Yaiskul. However, police personnel intercepted them at Chinga crossing and the rally was diverted towards Pishumthong. Later, they headed towards Heirangoithong and culminated at the starting point.
CADA Against Alcohols and Drugs
Continuing the capaign agaisnts alcohols and drugs in Manipur, a public meeting on ‘Nishana Khunnaida Piba Cheitheng Amasung Nupi Angangsingda Chathaba Meewot Meenei Masibu Thingbada Meeyamgi Thoudang’ (The effect of drugs on society, and the role of public in stopping its ill effects on women and children) was organised by Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) at Khurai Konsam Leikai, Imphal East on August 20.
CADA stated in a release that it had organised a public meeting on the theme as a part of the organisation’s drive against drug abuse at Ima Chingjraoibi Sanglen at Khurai Konsam Leikai, Imphal East.
The meeting was organised in collaboration with Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup, Imphal East; Youth Organization Sporting Union, Khurai Konsam Leikai; Friends Union Club, Khurai Heigrumakhong; and Khurai Konsam Leikai Apunba Khunai Kanba Nupi Lup, it added.
Shiv Sena Against Liquor Easing
Manipur Shiv Sena president M Tombi on August 22 raised concern that organisations such as Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and other local bodies are unable to stop the selling of alcohol in the heart of Imphal city and appealed to impose a strict ban on it.
Addressing the media at its state head office located at Babupara, he said that CADA and other local bodies had been conducting drives against alcohol but were unable to ban the selling of illegal liquor even near Raj Bhavan. He drew the attention of the Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on the matter, mentioning that the present scenario should be monitored.
Illegal Arms Manufacturing Unit Busted
A combined team of Churachandpur district police and BSF personnel busted an illegal arms manufacturing unit and seized various arms manufacturing items at Shiamtung village, Churachandpur district at around 11:50 am on August 25.
Reports said a combined search operation was conducted in Churachandpur town following information from FGT BSF, Imphal regarding illegal arms manufacturing at Chimtung village, Churachandpur and supplying of local made manufactured illegal arms to some underground outfits.
The combined team of district police led by its officer-in-charge, N Ingocha and staffs of Field GT Imphal, troops of 113 Bn BSF led by Bhagat Sing AC of 113 Bn BSF, additional field GT Churachandpur under the supervision of Deshorjit Singh, and Shivanand Surve, SP Churachandpur district conducted a search in the house of one Pauminlun Suantak, son of late Hauthinlian Suantak of Shiamtung Veng, Dorcas Road, Churachandpur twon.
From the operastion, the combined team found a local, illegal arms manufacturing unit in the said house where they found a local-made single barrel gun; one wooden gun butt; one local made single barrel (small); one local made firing pin unit (small); and one local made firing pin unit (bigger).
They also seized one local made single barrel (long) part; one curve barrel part; one local made trigger assembly; one local made transitory (part); three trigger guard; two old type trigger unit (musketry); one local made hammer unit; one trigger unit; one local made cocking pin/bridge block part; one local made magazine; one solid iron magazine block; one ceiling carry (single); one welding machine (Ideal); one cutter machine; one drill; one air blower; one five speed bench drill; one thick iron; two bench vice and one carpenter vice, reports added.
Jiribam to Khongsang Railway Service by September
Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh on August 25 announced that 50 per cent of the Imphal-Jiribam railway project has been completed. She said the long coach passenger service to Khongsang will be operational by September.
Reports said the Union minister was speaking to the media on various ongoing projects taken up by the ministries of Railways and Textiles in Manipur at Hotel Imphal in Imphal East.
She said that the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has started installing advance warning systems for disasters such as landslides in all trains and railway stations in Manipur for the safety of passengers and officials, reports added.
The development comes a month after the massive landslide that hit the NFR work site at Makhuam also called Marangching in Noney district. The tragedy claimed as many as 61 lives.
46 Teachers for National Award 2022
Manipur Government’s primary teacher Nongmaithem Gautam Singh has been selected for National Teachers’ Award 2022.
Gautam happens to be among the 46 teachers selected for the National Awards to Teachers 2022. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards to the selected teachers on the ocassion of Teachers’ Day, September 5 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Seven teachers from Northeast India states have been selected among 46 teachers.
The seven selected awardees from Northeast India included two from Sikkim and one each from Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam.
From Manipur, Nongmaithem Gautam Singh, Teacher at Eastern Ideal High School, Imphal East will be honoured with the award.
The purpose of National Awards to Teachers is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment, have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students, the Education Ministry said in a statement.
57th Hunger Marchers’ Day
A massive rally participated by thousands of students and people in the state, marked the observance of 57th Hunger Marchers’ Day-2022 on August 27, 2022 in Imphal.
The Hunger Marchers’ Day rally was organised by the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) in remembrance of the four martyrs, who laid down their lives for Manipur in the movement against artificial famine in 1965.
As a part of the observance, AMSU flag was hoisted at Pishum Chingamcha, Imphal West and participants paid floral tributes to four martyrs – Oinam Nabakumar, Laishram Chaobhal, Nongmeikapam Pramodini and Waikhom Nilamani, who laid down their lives on August 27, 1965 during the students’ movement demanding rice against artificial famine in Manipur. The students’ movement demanded a policy to prohibiting uncontrolled export of rice from Manipur which led to acute shortage of food grains and artificial famine in the state.
Then, the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) was born on August 28, 1965.
Several students came out in traditional attire to join the rally, which started from Maheiroisinggi Ningsing Khubham (Students’ Memorial Complex) at Pisum Chingamacha in Imphal West. The rally culminated at DM University campus, Imphal west and formal function was held there.
