Amidst the COVID-19 lockdown political crisis in one way or another continues in Manipur. While the political crisis within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not resolved yet, the BJP’s key coalition partner, the National People’s Party (NPP), Manipur State Unit had its share of drama as on August 27 expelled president Thangminlien Kipgen strongly reacted to NPP National Chief Conrad Sangma, citing he never acted against the party constitution.
The recent development comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the election of the state unit’s party president which was conducted last Sunday. The returning officer of NPP had declared Kipgen re-elected as president uncontested, reports said.
However, the next day NPP National President Conrad Sangma issued a statement that N Kayisii, Tribal Affairs Minister in the Manipur Government has been appointed as interim president of the party’s State Unit.
Interestingly, despite Conrad Sangma’s order, the NPP Manipur State Unit declared Thangminlien Kipgen as the newly elected president and organised a felicitation function at the party’s office located at Airport Road in Imphal.
Thereon, Conrad Sangma on August 26 expelled the newly elected Thangminlien Kipgen, for allegedly going against the party’s constitution by announcing his election for the post.
Further, Ch Ajang Khongsai (Working President), Dr. Ph Jilasana (Vice President) and Sushil Huidrom (Vice President) were also expelled for their anti-party activities along with Thangminlien.
In another development, the interim president N Kayisii appointed by NPP chief Sangma was expelled by the state unit led by Thangminlien Kipgen on August 27. Kipgen alleged that N Kayisii had indulged in anti-party activities and also failed to renew his party membership.
CorCom Pays Tributes
The CorCom, a conglomeration of armed groups of Manipur paid tributes to Haipou Jadonang on his death anniversary on August 29. Haipou Jadonang born on June 10, 1905 at Kambiron village of Nungba Sub-division to the Malangmei clan of the Rongmei tribe resisted the imposition of the British beliefs and cultures by the colonial administration. He was hanged on August 29, 1931 for resisting the British rule.
A statement issued by CorCom publicity committee noted that indigenous communities of Manipur have been living together since ages while upholding their own distinctive identities, cultures and traditions.
After the British Empire took control of Manipur Jadonang challenged the oppressive measures unleashed by the colonial rulers upon the hill people such as forced labour, house tax etc., the statement of the CorCom said.
Tele-consultation Launched
A free medical tele-consultation using eSanjeevani OPD platform, a first of its kind, was launched by the Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar on August 26 in a function held at the Medical Directorate in Imphal.
Online medical prescription will also be sent to the patient to complete the process of consultation and the facility can be availed by registering the names on www.esanjeevaniopd.in, the minister said according to a report in the IFP.
PMJAY Beneficiaries
Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar also launched “Google Form for Verification of PMJAY Beneficiaries” in a function held at the conference hall of the old secretariat on August 28.
Reports said that people who wish to get the health benefit of Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) can get registered online by submitting identity card, household card and two passport photographs. Social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram or any other such medium may also be used for the purpose.
Unauthorised COVID-19 Test
An unauthorised pharmaceutical shop has been found conducting COVID-19 tests and issuing a COVID-19 Test Report.
Surprisingly M/s AK Pharmacy located at Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai in Imphal West issued a COVID-19 Test Report mentioning the test result as Negative, date and time of test, and particulars of the person from Wangoi Thaonaojam Leikai, Wangoi in Imphal West district. The report was signed by one Khogendro as authorised signatory according to the copy of the report available with FPSJ Review.
Reports said the shop had been served a notice on August 27 by N Rimotkumar Meetei, State Drugs Controller cum Licensing Authority of the Directorate of Health Services Manipur and asked to reply in writing immediately.
It may be mentioned that no private party except Babina Diagnostics Centre has so far been authorised in Manipur to conduct COVID-19 test.
Students Protest Order
Five students’ bodies including the AMSU, DESAM, KSA, AIMS and SUK in a joint statement have demanded the revoking of the order that prohibits government college teachers from commenting publicly on the government’s policies and programmes, reports have said.
The students have cited the example of the Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University which do not follow such an order.
Meanwhile, the DM College of Science Teachers Association has also shown its displeasure over the order, reports said.
Nemcha Kipgen Positive
The state Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen is among the latest to be tested positive for the Coronavirus. Kipgen was involved with working for those affected by the virus and for the quarantine centres before she tested positive.
Vendors Given Loans
Loans were extended to vendors in the state, numbering 817, by the chief minister N Biren on Tuesday to alleviate them from the Covid-19 situation. These include 368 street vendors under the Prime Minister’s Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi – PMSVANidhi and 449 licenced vendors, including 14 from the hill districts, under the Prime Minister’s Mudra Yojana, according to reports from the DIPR.
Irrigation Schemes Launched
Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren also laid the foundation stone for 375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, 550 Ground Water Irrigation Schemes and 151 infrastructure projects at a total expected cost of Rs. 647 crore through video conferencing in Imphal.
The projects which are to be taken up in different districts are launched under the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Minority Affairs Ministry, according to a report in the IFP.
