Salai Holding founder Narengbam Samarjit, who has been absconding after declaring Manipur as independent from London, was detained and arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport after he landed at New Delhi on a flight from London this week. Also during the week former VC of Osmania University Prof T Tirupati Rao was appointed the Chancellor of MU and elsewhere the MPCC has called for the recall of the Manipur Governor.
Salai Holdings’ Samarjit Arrested
After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 23 filed a charge sheet against Yamben Biren and Narengbam Samarjit and their three associates namely, Narengbam Bishwajit, Elangbam Brojendro and Akoijam Deepa Anand under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Narengbam Samarjit, founder of Salai Group of companies has been arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi on March 25 morning. He was travelling from London in an Air India flight which landed in Delhi at around 11.20 pm of March 24.
Reports said that the NIA filed the charge sheet against the five persons in its probe related to formation of a self-styled organisation which declared Manipur’s independence from India and collected funds for its illegal activities.
Samarjit has been declared wanted by the police not only for his separatist stance but also in connection with a case related to investors numbering nearly 20,000 who had alleged that they have been “left high and dry and their investment to Salai group has not paid any dividends”.
Many have alleged that the Salai group has been operating a ponzi scheme promising three percent returns to its investors, reports added.
Manipur Congress says Recall Governor
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has pleaded to the President of India to either recall or ensure that the Governor of Manipur discharge constitutional duties and obligations as envisaged under the Article 192 of the Constitution.
Reports said a MPCC team led by President Govindas Konthoujam, former chief minister Okram Ibobi and CWC member Gaikhangam Gangmei met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan and submitted a memorandum.
The present issue raised by the Manipur Congress pertains to a September 2020 ruling of the Manipur High Court that quashed the appointment of 12 MLAs of the BJP-led coalition government as parliamentary secretaries after it struck down two State laws under which they were appointed.
As the Manipur legislators approached the Supreme Court, where an appeal is pending, the Congress approached the Governor for the disqualification of the MLAs on the grounds of holding offices of profit.
However, it is reported that the Governor Najma Heptulla then sought the opinion of the Election Commission on the High Court order. The panel is learnt to have given its opinion to her in January.
Reports further said that the Governor has not given the MPCC an appointment to meet her and also failed to disqualify the 12 MLAs.
Tirupati Rao is MU Chancellor
The post of Chancellor of Manipur University which has been lying vacant for a long time has at last been filled with the appointment of former vice-chancellor of Osmania University, Prof. T Tirupati Rao for five years.
Prof. Rao was the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University from 2008-2011 and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, OU from 2011-13.
However, the regular Vice-Chancellor of the University is yet to be appointed. The Manipur University is without a regular Vice Chancellor for the last three-four years.
Wounded Myanmarese in Imphal
Three wounded Myanmar nationals suspected to be anti-coup protesters have reached Imphal for treatment.
Reports said the three men were injured when Myanmar security forces opened fire at Tamu market. Myanmar border town Tamu is at a distance of 5 km from Manipur’s border town Moreh along India-Myanmar international border. The injured were initially brought to sub-divisional Hospital Moreh March 25 late night and referred to Imphal thereafter.
The injured persons have been identified as Phuyoo alias Phuzo, 32, son of Miyantian; Nyae Yoon alias Konanoo, 29, son of Weayyoon and Nay Nay Thoo alias Nyu Nyu Thun, 31, son of Myinninth. It is said they are all from Tamu district.
Naye Yoon was admitted at RIMS hospital, Lamphel, while Phuyoo and Nay Nay Thoo were admitted at JINMS hospital, Porompat, reports added.
Former member ADC Chandel Cecilia Chinneivah Haokip, additional SP M Amit and civil organisation leaders of Moreh town visited the injured persons at Moreh hospital March 26 morning before they were transported to Imphal.
Lamdeng Energy Plant
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren inaugurated a Waste to Energy plant which has the technology of 100 per cent eco-friendly microbial culture to reduce moisture and remove odour in Lamdeng, Imphal.
Reports said the plant established on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was developed under MAHUD department.
A sum of Rs 29.5 crore was invested to upgrade the project that can consume a capacity of 100 tons of municipal waste per day. The solid waste management plant of Lamdeng has been fully operating since 2016.
A tri-partite concession agreement was signed among MAHUD, power department and IEC-TSL ingenious energy LLP, Ahmedabad on August 18, 2016 for upgrading the existing solid waste management plant to a ‘waste to energy plant’, Biren said.
Pherzawl Students get to know Forces
The Churachandpur Battalion of Assam Rifles, under the aegis of 27 Sector AR, on Wednesday organised a programme titled ‘Know Your Forces’ for the students of Parbung Government Junior High School, Pherzawl district.
Reports said the programme was conducted with an aim to enhance familiarity of the students with the armed forces. During the programme, students were briefed on various types of weapons, lifestyle in the forces, eligibility criteria for the armed forces including the perks and privileges enjoyed by the armed force.
Sanitary Pad Vends Installed
The Rotary Club of Imphal has inaugurated ‘sanitary pad vending machines’ at six government schools in an effort towards promoting better menstrual health for school going girls.
Reports quoting the president of Rotary Club of Imphal, Ch Dhananjoy said the programme was initiated in consideration of the menstrual health of adolescent school girls, during the main function organised for the inauguration of the sanitary pad vending machine at Ibotonsana Girls’ Higher Secondary School.
Govt Not to Tolerate Remarks against State
The State government will not tolerate any derogatory speech and expression against the government by anyone, said Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren while he was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a multipurpose hall at Laipham Khunou Mitong Lampak in Imphal East.
Reports said the chief minister said that though the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, the same also permits the government to impose restrictions on grounds of ensuring decency and morality.
‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign Launched
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has launched the state chapter of the nationwide ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign at the chief minister’s secretariat.
During the campaign launching programme, Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren instructed the officials to form a joint committee of Water Resources department, PHED and Minor Irrigation for the successful implementation of the campaign that will continue from March 22 to November 30 to reduce the problem of water scarcity in the next dry season.
Funds for Judiciary Projects
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren during the 8th anniversary celebration of the High Court of Manipur on March 23 assured that the state government will make efforts to arrange funds for various ongoing and new projects for the judiciary from various sources.
In the current year, the government has started taking steps for the development of infrastructure for the courts. Rs 9 crore was allocated in RE 2020-21 and Rs 21 crore in BE 2021-22 for construction of district court buildings in Kakching, Noney and Senapati, reports said.
The CM also said construction of Manipur Judicial Academy, Pangei, will start soon.
KSO 48-Hour Shutdown Suspended
Kuki Students Organisation has suspended its proposed 48-hour state-wide shutdown which was scheduled to begin from March 26 in protest against the Government’s decision to delete Any Kuki Tribe from the list of recognised Scheduled Tribes in its cabinet meeting on October 19, 2018 and failure to retract its decision despite appeals to halt further process.
The decision came after a meeting was held between representatives of KSO and the state Government representatives at the invitation of the state Government on March 25 afternoon at the office chamber of Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister Vungjagin Valte in the old secretariat.
MP Dr. Ranjan Urges Revised NE Allocation
Lok Sabha MP Dr. Ranjan has urged the Centre to revise the policy of financial allocation of the Central government ministries and departments for the Northeast region and formulate a new one which is more practical and implementable.
Reports said, raising the issue in the Parliament, Dr. Ranjan said during the first NDA Government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee, it was decided that 10 percent of the budget of each and every Ministry and Department should be earmarked for the development of the Northeastern region.
However, most of the Central Government Ministries are not following the policy due to many constraints and practical difficulties, Ranjan said.
CBI Raid Customs Superintendent
A team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the CBI, Imphal on March 25 raided the residence of a superintendent of the Customs Division, Imphal for allegedly possessing properties which are disproportionate to his known source of income.
Reports said that the superintendent is Wahengbam Hemantakishwar Luwang and his residence is located at Nongmeibung Chakpram Leikai, Imphal East. A complaint lodged against him by unknown person(s) alleged possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs. 56.75 lakh.
