The Election Commission of India (ECI), New Delhi has decided to conduct all bye-elections in Assembly/Parliamentary constituencies across the country before November 29.
Reports say that a meeting of the ECI regarding holding bye-elections due in various states was held on September 4, wherein the Commission mentioned that presently there are 64 vacancies in the State Legislative Assemblies of various states and one vacancy for Parliamentary Constituency.
Considering that Assembly Elections of Bihar are also due and required to be completed before November 29, 2020, the Commission has decided to conduct all 65 bye-elections and the Assembly Elections of Bihar around the same time, a press release of the ECI has stated.
Notably, there are as many as 13 vacancies for 13 Assembly Constituencies of Manipur arising from resignations and disqualifications of the previously elected MLAs. There are as many as four Congress MLAs including Thounaojam Shyamkumar of Andro Assembly Constituency, ex-minister in the BJP-led Nongthombam Biren ministry, who were disqualified following various directives of the Supreme Court and High Court. Three BJP MLAs earlier resigned before the Rajya Sabha election in June. Six more MLAs resigned from the Congress and Legislative Assembly and five of them have joined the BJP while another has not joined any party yet.
Ex-MLAs Camping at Delhi Return
Five ex-MLAs of the state who joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Delhi on August 20 after their resignation as MLAs and from the Congress party have returned to Imphal on September 4.
Interestingly, reports say that the five ex-MLAs who were camping at Delhi after joining the ruling BJP since the third week of August seeking an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah came back to Imphal on September 4 without fulfilling their purpose as they could not get any appointment with Amit Shah.
Reports further said that they were camping at Delhi seeking an assurance from the Union Home Minister for BJP tickets to contest the forthcoming bye-elections.
They returned to Imphal since Chief Minister N Biren asked them to as he had talked with all the BJP leaders concerned, reports added.
The five MLAs are Ngamthang Haokip, Oinam Lukhoi, Okram Henry, Paonam Brojen and Ginsuanhau.
Robbers Loot Rs. 1.15 Cr
Armed robbers looted Rs 1.15 crore from ATM cash replenishment agents, killing one security guard right in front of the SBI Main Branch Churachandpur in broad daylight on September 4.
Reports say the robbery took place at around 10.30 am when staff and security personnel of SBI’s Cash Replenishment Agency (CRA) – Writer Safeguard Private Limited were on a routine cash replenishing exercise.
The deceased, Ranjan Arambam, 37, son of late Arambam Kumar of Zou Veng, Khuga Tamak, Churachandpur, who was driver-cum-security guard of the agency suffered at least two bullet injuries around his waist. The incident was said to have been executed discreetly, and purportedly by using weapons with silencers since the roadside vendors who were sitting nearby said they did not hear any gunshots or notice anyone running away with the loot, reports added.
The robbers shot Ranjan at least twice and fled with the Rs 1.15 crore in cash, sources said. Ranjan was rushed to the District Hospital Churachandpur and later taken to Shija Hospital but succumbed on the way and was declared brought dead at Shija Hospital.
Minor Gang-rape Victim Dies
A 14-year-old minor girl who was found unconscious at Mayang Imphal Maibam Palli Yengdoupat under Mayang Imphal Police Station early morning on September 2 died at RIMS ICU at around 2 pm the next day.
The girl was suspected to have been sexually assaulted and dumped there in the pond, reports said.
Following the news of the death, angry locals took out a protest rally towards Mayang Imphal Bazar where they were stopped by the police. A JAC formed against the incident has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.
Later, while two of the suspects surrendered to the Imphal West SP, the third suspect was said to have been nabbed by the police, reports added.
Jananeta Irawat
The 124th birth anniversary of Jananeta Irawat which started on September 1 is to continue till the end of the month. The opening ceremony of the celebration began with floral tributes to the leader’s statue by the CPI Manipur secretary L Sotinkumar and others at the side of Wangkhem pond.
Ex-President Demise
The Speaker of the state Assembly Y Khemchand in a message has said that he was profoundly saddened by the passing away of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
The former president had the rare distinction of having served as the defence, commerce, finance and foreign minister, Khemchand said in the condolence message while stating that Mukherjee was elected to the Rajya Sabha five times and the Lok Sabha twice.
Covid Patient Drama
A Covid-19 patient escaped from the Tuibong Covid Care Centre in Churachandpur district but was traced by the officials of the district administration to the doorstep of his sister’s house at Rangkai and was promptly brought back to the Covid centre. The patient was trying to coax his sister who refused him entry to the house in the night time, a report in the IFP said.
Sports Medicine
A sports medicine OPD has been opened at the PMR Complex at the RIMS.
The facility is the first of its kind in the state and is under the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry. It is meant especially for the sportspersons, the IFP has reported.
