Bangkok Asian Games gold medallist N Dingko passed away this week bringing to an end the boxer’s prolonged fight against cancer, even as another stalwart figure, first Kuki MP Paokai Haokip who played an important role in obtaining statehood for the state also passed away during the week. Heavy showers, meanwhile, caused mudslides at villages on the Imphal-Tamenglong Road, even as curfew in the seven districts was further extended in the state.
State Mourns Boxer Ngangom Dingko
Manipur’s 1998 Asian Games gold medallist international boxer Ngangom Dingko passed away in the morning on June 10 after a long fight with cancer. People from all walks of life paid condolences and tributes to the boxer. He was laid to rest at Sekta village in Imphal East district. He was 42.
Dingko had been battling ill-health for a number of years, starting with the liver cancer, for which he was being treated since 2017.
Asian Games gold medallist and a recipient of Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, Ngangom Dingko passed away, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren stated in his condolence message.
Dingko won his first National Gold Medal at the age of 10 in 1989. It caught the attention of the boxing fraternity and selectors of the country and it brought for him, the opportunity to get trained in the best facilities of the country. In 1997, he won the King’s Cup in Bangkok.
21st Death Anniversary of Arambam Somorendra Observed
As annually observed across the state and various other places outside Manipur, the 21st death anniversary of Arambam Somorendra was observed at the conference hall of Jiri Development Organisation (JDO), Jiribam on June 10.
Reports said the event was organised in a low key manner due to COVID-19 pandemic by JDO in association with Jiribam Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Coalition against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and Pari Puri Athouba Ningsing Lup (PPANL).
The Patriotic Writers Forum Manipur in association with its Assam and Tripura units also observed the 21st death anniversary of Arambam Somorendra in a low key manner due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The death anniversary of Arambam Somorendra was observed in and outside Manipur by various organisations, reports added.
Arambam Somorendra founded the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) on November 24, 1964 as first General Secretary while Kalalung Kamei and Thankhopao Singsit were the President and Vice-President respectively.
Besides the activities for a political change in Manipur and the Northeast region, Somorendra was a famous playwright, lyricist and author. He was also a National Sahitya Akademi Awardee.
Arambam Somorendra born on July 12, 1935 was shot dead by unknown assailants on June 10, 2000 during a seminar on “Women’s Shumang Lila in Manipur” at the Khurai Nandeibam Leikai, Imphal.
Mudslide Destroys Paddy Fields
On the day following World Environment Day, a mudslide occurred in Twilang area along Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road, between T Waichong Sub Divisional Headquarters and Selsi village. The mudslide has destroyed around four acres of paddy field.
Reports said the mudslide, which took place after continuous rainfall, has also interrupted movement of vehicles. Villagers of T Waichong and its surrounding area attempted to clear the debris, but it became impossible by manual work owing to gradual increase of the mudslide.
Considering the alarming situation which could deteriorate, IT Road Joint Monitoring Development Committee seeks immediate intervention of the authority concerned and state government, to avoid further disaster, reports added.
Curfew Extended till June 30
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Manipur, the State Government on June 11 decided to extend curfew restrictions in the seven districts, as preventive measure till June 30.
The restrictions will remain in force in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Churachandpur and Ukhrul. However, additional activities — apart from the ones already permitted — will now be allowed.
However, inter-district movement from the remaining nine districts where curfew is not enforced to the seven districts under curfew will remain prohibited.
The additional activities which have been allowed are:
- Airline’s city booking reservation office from 10 am to 2 pm (except Sunday).
- Railway reservation office at MSRTC complex from 10 am to 2 pm (except Sunday).
- Bakery operations with in situ workers by taking adequate precaution.
First Kuki MP Paokai Haokip Passes Away
The first Member of Parliament (MP) from the Kuki community representing Outer Parliamentary Constituency of Manipur, Paokai Haokip passed away at his residence at Saitu village in Kangpokpi district on June 6 evening.
He was battling cancer. He was 85 and survived by his son, daughter-in-law and grandson.
He passed his 10th class from St Anthony’s High School, Shillong in 1960 and intermediate from DM College, Imphal in 1961. He completed his graduation at Cotton College, Guwahati in 1964 and studied LLB from Allahabad University but could not complete it as he entered politics.
He was elected as an MP in 1967 as an Independent candidate and re-elected in 1972 as a Congress candidate. As a parliamentarian, he was active in the attainment of statehood for Manipur in 1972. It is learnt that the then MP from Inner Manipur N Tombi and Paokai Haokip worked tirelessly together including fasting at rallies in New Delhi during the demand for statehood and Autonomous District Council, reports added.
Hospital Damaged by Irate Family
Irate family members of a COVID-19 patient, who succumbed to the disease late June 5 at JNIMS Hospital, allegedly vandalised the hospital properties, including an oxygen concentrator and other ICU equipments of the hospital.
The deceased was identified as a 33-year-old woman Okram Ongbi Gypsy from Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai.
Family members alleged the patient died due to negligence of the hospital authority in providing treatment. A video footage of the incident also went viral in social media platforms, reports added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association, (IMA) Manipur State Branch on June 6 condemned the act of damaging hospital properties, including an oxygen concentrator and other ICU equipment, by family members of the COVID-19 victim at JNIMS Hospital.
Doctor Suspended for Alleged Assault
A medical officer of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal has been suspended for allegedly assaulting a staff nurse posted in the Covid Ward No. 3 of JNIMS Hospital.
Reports said that the medical officer reportedly manhandled a staff nurse Lhingneivah Haokip while on duty at the ward.
It may be mentioned that CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral on social media.
The doctor has been identified as Dr. Pangambam Bohnson, who was appointed on a daily honorarium basis in the institute, according to the suspension order issued by JNIMS director Th Bhimo.
The doctor was suspended on June 10 following a complaint lodged by the Trained Nurses’ Association JNIMS to the director of JNIMS on June 9.
Bomb Attack on AMSU Condemned
Several student bodies across the Northeast have condemned the recent bomb attack on the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) Headquarter at DM University campus in Imphal West, Manipur.
At around 7.20 pm on June 8 a hand grenade was exploded in the campus of the AMSU headquarter located inside the campus of DM University, Imphal West. In a CCTV footage circulated in the social media, a man coming in a moped was seen speeding away after hurling the grenade from outside the campus of the union’s headquarter.
The AMSU strongly condemned the bomb attack as an “act of terrorism.” Others including NESO, KSU, AASU, NSF, MZP, TSF, MSAD, GSU, AAPSU, DESAM, MSF, KSA, SUK and AIMS also condemned the attack aimed at AMSU.
Woman Dies after COVID Vaccination
A 37-year-old woman from Thoubal district, Manipur died after a few hours of receiving the first dose of Covishield vaccine on June 7.
Reports said that the deceased, Laishram Ongbi Naorem Kiranbala, wife of L Sharat, a resident of Khangabok, was a teacher.
Kiranbala, accompanied by her husband, had gone to Sangaiyumpham PHC on June 7, and she was administered the first dose of the Covishield vaccine around 12 noon. However, within a short period of time after receiving the vaccine, she started feeling sick and dizzy; following which she was admitted to Thoubal District Hospital where she breathed her last around 2.30 pm, reports added. The exact cause of death was not known, reports further said.
IRB Personnel Injured in Ambush
A rifleman of the 2nd IRB was injured when suspected militants attacked the vehicles carrying a patrol team of security personnel in Rengpang village under Noney District on June 9.
Reports said the incident occurred around 4 pm under the jurisdiction of Nungba Police Station. The injured IRB personnel, Thokchom Sachi of Thoudam, is attached to a special police commando unit stationed at the Power house of Rengpang.
1,979 Farmers Received Benefits from CAU
In all, 1,979 farmers from Manipur received agricultural benefits from Central Agricultural University. Rice, ground nuts, soya beans, hybrid maize and fodder maize seeds were provided to 1890 farmers. On the other hand, mini rice mills were handed over to nine farmers, kitchen grinder juicers to 20 farmers, sprayers to 35 farmers and biofloc units to 25 farmers.
Karnajit’s Bail Plea Rejected
The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal East in Manipur has rejected the bail plea application of Kangujam Karnajit on June 8. Karnajit was arrested in Delhi by a joint team of Delhi Police’s Special Cell and Manipur Police on charges of forgery and cheating.
Reports said that the magistrate also allowed the Porompat Police Station to formally arrest Karnajit on charges of fraudulent activities in the name of the International Youth Committee (IYC).
The accused, a self-proclaimed youth leader, had also reportedly admitted the charges levelled against him.
Food Bank Initiated and Foods Distributed
Imphal East Zilla Parishad member Seram Neken initiated Food Bank and distributed foods on June 10 to around 100 families under COVID-19 Containment Zones in Uchekon Khunou, Uchekon Laikon and Kongba Uchekon Chongabi areas in Thongju Assembly Constituency, Imphal East.
RIMS Alumni Donate Oxygen
The Association of RIMS Alumni (ARIMSA) handed over 25 D-type (Jumbo) Medical Oxygen Cylinders to RIMS Director Prof. A Santa Singh on June 7.
The donation was made by a team led by Prof. Th Bijoy, vice president and Prof. RK Lenin, honorary secretary of ARMSA in a simple function held in the office premises of ARIMSA, RIMS stated in a release signed by media advisor, N Philip.
Congress Protests Fuel Price Hike
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has joined the Indian National Congress’ nationwide protest against hike in prices of petrol and diesel prices on June 11.
It may be mentioned that the current price of petrol in Imphal is Rs. 99.57 per litre, diesel Rs. 90.25 per litre and Rs. 732 per 14.2 Kg LPG.
