Seven Manipuri Footballers in India Squad for U-17 Women’s FIFA World Cup 2022
In India’s 21-Member squad for Under-17 Women’s FIFA World Cup 2022 as announced by India U-17 National Women’s team Head Coach Thomas Dennerby on October 5, 2022, seven Manipuri girls have been selected to the team.
India has been drawn in Group A alongside USA, Morocco and Brazil. They will face USA on October 11, followed by Morocco and Brazil on October 14 and October 17, respectively, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The seven footballers who have made it to the Indian Squad for U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to be held in from October 11 include Monalisha Moirangthem, Melody Chanu Keisham, Babina Lisham, Shilky Hemam, Rejiya Laishram, Lynda Kom Serto and Shelia Loktongbam.
Monalisha Moirangthem, Melody Chanu Keisham, and Anjali Munda are Goalkeepers while Astam Oraon, Kajal, Naketa, Purnima Kumari, Varshika, and Shilky Devi Hemam are Defenders. Babina Lisham, Nitu Linda, Shailja, and Shubhangi Singh while Midfielders while Anita Kumari, Lynda Kom Serto, Neha, Rejiya Laishram, Shelia Loktongbam, Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Lavanya Upadhyay, and Sudha Ankita Tirkey are playing Forwards.
CADA Rejects Draft Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy
The Coalition Against Drug and Alcohol (CADA) on October 6 rejected the “DRAFT Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy” issued by the state government stating that they demanded a ‘White Paper’ and hence, CADA will not meet the government until State Government produces a white paper but will instead support any form of agitation initiated by the Nupi Samaj.
CADA Secretary General, Geetchandra Mangang addressing the media at its office located at Pureiromba Khongnangkhong in Imphal East said that the draft copy of ‘Manipur Liquor Regulation Policy’ will not be considered as white paper that CADA has been demanding from the government. He continued that a white paper should include pros and cons on legalisation of liquor and should elaborate the queries made by the public including how the government is going to control the situation after liquor legalisation is implemented.
Before issuing a draft policy, the government should make a declaration that the government has failed to ban liquor in the state under Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act, 1991 as background of the white paper, Geetchandra Mangang demanded. Research data should be included in the white paper highlighting health problems, social problems, cultural norms, crime, economy and others in order to convince the public, he added.
Geetchandra said CADA is not against the government but it is ready to meet with the government. However, the government should produce a white paper in order to convince the people on liquor legalization because the draft copy was made without the context and CADA will not comment on the draft copy until a white paper is produced, he added.
‘Time For Rich Northeast to Play Bigger Role In India’s Economic Growth’
Manipur hosted the eighth edition of Young Leaders Connect 2022 in the state capital Imphal on October 7, 2022. Several leaders highlighted Northeast India’s potential for a much bigger and vital role that it can play in India’s economic growth.
Organised by the North East Leaders Connect (NELC), the Connect-8 was held under the theme “Northeast India 2030: Towards India’s Innovative and Sustainable Growth” at the City Convention, Palace Compound in Imphal, reports said.
Addressing the gathering as the chief patron of the eighth edition of Young Leaders Connect, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said, “A richer understanding of the realities would help reshape Northeast India with a shared vision for the region’s progress”, reports added.
He also pointed out that the region is blessed with abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage, skilled human resources, colourful tribes and tourist attractions for NE to become another growth engine for the country. He said the need to meaningfully realise the region’s inherent potentials in different fields.
Reports said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is also a governing member of NELC, stated that the time has come for the Northeast Region to play an important role in the country’s resolve to achieve the $5 trillion economy. He also mentioned that the region’s rich natural resources and fragile ecology must not be compromised by various growth paths taken up.
Informing that the Northeast states has 8 per cent of the country’s geographical area with 4 per cent of its total population, Khandu mentioned that the region contributes only a small share in the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP), India’s total foodgrain production, domestic and foreign tourists and India’s total export.
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and NELC Governing Council Member, Gaurav Gogoi stated that Northeast states have a promising future with its potential youths, talents, culture and diversity apart from violence and insurgency which are things of the past.
Gogoi informed that the NELC was born out of common love and passion for Northeast which would continue to grow and create friends not only among the Northeast, but also with the rest of India. He mentioned that for Northeast, economy means its people and as such the potentials of our people should be harnessed to achieve growth and development.
During the programme, N Biren and Pema Khandu launched the project NEW (Northeast-region Entrepreneurs’ World). Short videos on Star Education Manipur and theme song of Young Leaders Connect were also shown, reports added.
Minister Biswajit to Stop Constructions on Paddy Land
Manipur Agriculture Minister Thongam Biswajit on October 5, while appealing to the public to resist constructions of structures in the paddy field by defying the Conservation of Paddy Land and WetLand Act, 2014, also warned of legal action against those violators.
Reports said speaking at his office chamber at New Secretariat in Imphal West, Biswajit said that Prime Minister Modi has given certain action plans and parameters to all state governments for overall strengthening of the country during a quarterly review meeting with the Chief Ministers.
He said that in order to eradicate poverty, maximum benefits are made available to the farmers by ways of introducing schemes such as KCC, Soil Health Card, PM Kishan Samman Nidhi and others.
Stating that increasing the socio-economy of the state by doubling the income of the farmers is the main objective, he stressed the need to save and preserve paddy lands, reports added.
Flight Passenger Found Unconscious Onboard Dies
A 23-year-old woman flight passenger who was found unconscious onboard a Delhi to Imphal (via Guwahati) Indigo flight died after she was hospitalised at Asian Hospital on October 4.
Reports said the deceased has been identified as one RK Jims, 23, daughter of RK Jacob from Shangching Village in Ukhrul district. She boarded the Delhi to Imphal (via Guwahati) Indigo flight (6E251) in seat number 29-A.
The passenger was found unconscious when her flight landed at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal around 9 am. The crew members immediately called for a medical team and an ambulance, and she was rushed to Asian Hospital at Kwakeithel, reports added.
“But the doctor declared her ‘brought dead’,” adding “RK Jims might have had previous health complications”, reports added.
Driver Assaulted By Armed Miscreants For Refusing To Give Rs 100
A van driver providing passenger service along Imphal-Moreh road was physically assaulted allegedly by armed individuals who were suspected to be from a militant group on October 3.
The victim identified as one Md Abdul Hakim, 30, of Abdul Aziz from Sora Keithel said that the armed miscreants assaulted him after he refused to give them a “tax of Rs 100”. He returned home from Moreh on October 3 around 7 pm as customers were scarce.
Reports said when he reached Chamol village of Tengnoupal district (locally known as Zero), few individuals were standing at a usual tax collection point for Kuki militants. When the miscreants asked him to pay a tax of Rs 250, he refused as he had not earned a profitable amount on the day. Then the culprits asked him to give them Rs 100, he maintained. After he refused to give the money, the miscreants started to physically assault him, he added.
Meanwhile, drivers who provide passenger service at Imphal-Moreh demonstrated cease work protest condemning the alleged assault on Md Abdul Hakim, at Sora Keithel in Kakching district, reports added.
Start-Ups Key Solving Unemployment
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on October 6 said that it is impossible for everyone to get a white collar job, but Start-Ups and entrepreneurship can ensure job guarantee to all while speaking at the launch of the Start-up Cohort of Start Up Manipur and Meta’s Extended Reality (XR) for Start-up Roadshow at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal East.
It was launched under the initiative of the Planning department with support from the Start Up Incubation Centre-MTU and Atal Incubation Centre-SMU Technology Business Incubation Foundation of the Sikkim Manipal University, reports said.
Recalling the launching of Start-Ups late in the state only after the formation of the BJP-led government with a budget of only Rs 10 crore, he said that now the budget has been raised to Rs100 crore, considering that Start-Up is the key to employment generation besides making Manipur into an exporter state, reports added.
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu calls on Manipur CM Biren
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on October 6 called on Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren at the official residence of Manipur Chief Minister in Imphal. The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister called on Chief Minister Biren after his arrival in Imphal. CM Khandu is in Imphal to attend the eighth edition of the Young Leaders Connect (YLC) of the North East Leaders Connect.
Reports said the eighth edition of the Young Leaders Connect (YLC) is being held under the theme “Northeast India 2030: Towards India’s Innovative and Sustainable Growth” at City Convention, Imphal.
Abide Building Bye-Laws in Urban Area, Says MAHUD Minister
MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand on October 6 called on the public to abide by the Building Bye-Laws and Master Plan while constructing any buildings and structures in the urban areas by obtaining permission from the concerned urban local bodies while delivering the chief guest speech during the launching of ‘Online Building Permit System (OBPS)’ of the Town Planning department at the City Convention Centre in Imphal East.
Khemchand said abiding the Building Bye-Laws and Master Plan will lead to systematic management of the town such as maintenance of proper drainage system besides being resistant from disaster like earthquakes, reports said.
He further said as the tentative period for obtaining the building permission online is 30 days, the public will no longer face any delay in obtaining such permission adding that the process will also be fully transparent.
Two Arrested With Heroin Powder along Indo-Burma Road
Kakching district commando on October 6 seized 809 grams of suspected heroin powder and arrested two persons, including a woman along Indo-Burma Road at around 12.10 pm.
Reports said the arrested persons were identified as one Naoba Takhellambam, 36, son of Takhellambam Iboyai Meitei of Haotak Tampak Khunao Makha Leikai, Wangoo Keirap, Bishnupur District, Manipur, presently staying at Chikim Village, Moreh and Lhingchin Kipgen, 46, wife of Nehkolam Kipgen of Zalenphai Part-2, Moreh, Tengnoupal District in Manipur.
During the police frisking, a red four-wheeler (Vitara Brezza) bearing registration number MN06L-8880 was seen coming from Pallel side towards Pallel police station. When the commando team signalled to stop the vehicle for checking, the vehicle tried to escape from the checkpoint. However, the police managed to stop the vehicle. The two occupants were detained and after identifying themselves, the vehicle was searched after observing legal formalities. From the vehicle 65 soap cases containing suspected heroin powder weighing around 809 grams seized and the occupants were arrested on the spot by observing necessary formalities, reports added.
Drug Trafficker Along Brown Sugar Arrested
A team of Imphal West police seized 630 grams of contraband brown sugar and arrested one drug trafficker from North AOC area on October 4 while trying to transport the said drug to Dimapur. The drug trafficker has been identified as one Md Farijuddin, 25, son of Md Lahimudfin of Kwakta Ward number 2, Phoujakhai Ekhai police station, Bishnupur district.
Reports said the police team led by officer-in-charge, Imphal police station, Nongthombam Ingocha, under the supervision of superintendent of police, Imphal West, Ksh Shivakanta, conducted an operation at North AOC area. The operation was conducted acting on information that one contraband drug trafficker is transporting some quantity of brown sugar from Kwakta to Dimapur by a Winger.
The police team, at around 8.35 am, stopped the said Winger and checked it during which some suspected contraband brown sugar was detected from the possession of Farijuddin (driver of the winger). The said drugs were found kept concealed in his inner thigh by folding with cello tape. The suspected drug weighing around 630 grams were tested in presence of a gazetted officer and two independent witnesses, reports added.
Canned Pengba and Ngaton Launched
For the first time in Manipur, Lemlei Enterprise launched canned indigenous fishes Pengba and Ngaton processed in the brine solution at Hotel Classic in Imphal on October 5. The canned fish can be preserved for three years however use within 12 months is the best period.
Reports said Managing Partner of Lemlei Enterprise, Kh Rakesh also informed that the same product is already being exported successfully to Pune since September 8 on every Thursday. Considering the lack of market for Pengba and Ngaton due to huge losses faced by the vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the enterprise had manufactured the canned Pengaba and Ngaton fishes with the aim to uplift the socio-economy status of the state, he explained.
Encouraging the farmers of the state to work at their best level for more productivity which can lead the stage for exporting, the Mayang Imphal MLA Kongkham Robondro said, “Let’s make use of the available resources to make Manipur self-sustainable and let’s stop running after government jobs as it is not possible for everyone.”
The function was also attended by dean of College of Food Technology, CAU Ng Iboyaima; president of Thoubal District Chamber of Commerce and Industry N Saratchandra; proprietor of Meira foods Hanjabam Shubra and managing director of Globizs Roshnikumar Yambem among others, reports added.
RTI Week 2022 Celebration
Addressing the opening ceremony of the RTI Week Celebration 2022 as Chief Guest on October 5 at the Conference Hall of SCERT, Lamphel in Imphal West Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo said the state government is trying to be more transparent in its functioning and bring the people closer to the government with programmes like ‘CM da Haisi’.
Dingo urged the people to use RTI as a tool to bring down the level of corruption in Manipur, stated a release. He highlighted that the Right to Information Act, 2005 is an Act to bring more transparency in the government and check corruption, a release said.
The RTI Week celebration was organised by the Manipur Information Commission as part of an all-India programme sponsored by the Department of Personnel and Training, Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
Speaking at the function as Guest of Honour, M Rameshwar, MLA of Kakching Assembly Constituency, called for the need to start e-filing of RTI applications in all government departments. He urged the Manipur Information Commission to bring more citizen-friendly online portals. He said that RTI is a pro-people act and is a feather in the cap of Indian democracy.
State Chief Information Commissioner, Oinam Sunil who presided over the function, highlighted the various tasks performed by the Manipur Information Commission to make RTI as a people’s movement. He said that RTI Act helps bring transparency in the government departments and also fight corruption, the release stated.
Three resource persons, namely Md Yaseer Ahmed Khan, deputy secretary/joint director (MAHUD) Salam Shantakumar Singh, Deputy Inspector of Schools, Zone II, Imphal East and W Joykumar Singh advocate/Co-convenor, Movement for People’s Right to Information – spoke in the workshop on the topic, “RTI Act, 2005 – Issues and Challenges,’ the release said.
CM Biren Flags Off 12 More GPS-Enabled Highway Patrol Vehicles
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on October 4 flagged off 12 more GPS-enabled vehicles for Highway Patrol for the third phase at Darbar Hall of CM secretariat. The 12 patrol vehicles will be operating along the highways in five districts namely Tamenglong, Noney, Kangpokpi, Senapati and Tengnoupal. The vehicles include three each for Tamenglong and Noney and two each for Kangpokpi, Senapati and Tengnoupal.
With this, the state has now been equipped with 22 GPS-enabled highway patrol vehicles; five of such vehicles were launched earlier each in May and June this year.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the patrol vehicles carrying the police personnel will keep strict vigil along the highways. He stated that the move will be significant in curbing crimes and extortions meted out against truckers or common people by miscreants, reports added.
IED Blast at Sagolband AC’s Former MLA’s Residence
A suspected IED exploded at the gate of former MLA of Sagolband Assembly Constituency Khwairakpam Loken’s residence at Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai in Imphal West late evening on October 6.
Reports said that the low intensity blast took place around 8:10 pm. However, there were no human casualties and no major damages due to the blast. The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained.
Former MLA Loken said he does not receive any demand or threat from any armed groups.
Centre Releases Rs 1,603-Cr Revenue Deficit Grant to Seven NE States
The Union Finance Ministry on October 6 released the 7th monthly instalment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) grant worth Rs 1,603.41 crores to seven Northeastern states – Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The grant has been released as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
According to a Union Finance Ministry’s release, the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grants are provided to the states under Article 275 of the Constitution. “The grants are released to the States as per the recommendations of the successive Finance Commissions to meet the gap in Revenue Accounts of the States post-devolution,” the release stated.
The eligibility of States to receive this grant and the quantum of grant for the period from 2020-21 to 2025-26 was decided by the Fifteenth Finance Commission based on the gap between assessment of revenue and expenditure of the state after taking into account the assessed devolution during this period,” the release added.
The Union Finance Ministry released an amount of Rs 407.50 crore for Assam, Rs 192.50 crore for Manipur, Rs 86.08 crore for Meghalaya, Rs 134.58 crore for Mizoram, Rs 377.50 crore for Nagaland, Rs 36.67 crore for Sikkim and Rs 368.58 crore for Tripura.
The Union Finance Ministery added that with the release of the 7th instalment for the month of October 2022, the total amount of Revenue Deficit Grants released to the seven northeastern states in 2022-23 has gone up to Rs 11,223.91 crore.
