Chapter 11

BJP mulls movement against NFSA mess

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 24: A mass movement to protest the gross anomalies detected in the implementation of NFSA in the state will be discussed at the state BJP executive meeting on July 30, said senior BJP leader Thounaojam Chaoba today. Speaking as the guest of honour at a one-day political awareness conference of BJP organised by the Sekmai Mandal (ST) at Phumlou Community Hall, he said for the last 15 years people have been waiting for a day of peace in the state but the Congress government answered their prayers by giving only plight and grievances.


MLA Shyam highlights progress in Langthabal A/C

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 24: Highlighting development brought in Langthabal constituency, local MLA Karam Shyam has said that 363 developmental works have been taken up in his constituency so far with the allotted sum of Rs 325 lakh from Local Area Development Fund. He was addressing a press meet held at his Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong residence today.


MLA’s effigy burnt in anti power station stir

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 24: The JAC against the Construction of Power Sub-Sation at Yairipok High School campus today directed their anger at local MLA K Meghachandra and chairperson of Yairipok Municipal Council L Haripyari for acting in compliance with the order for construction of the power station undermining the interest of the students and burned their effigies.


MLA accused

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2016: Councillors of Lilong Nagar Panchayat have alleged that Langthabal AC MLA Karam Shyam had verbally abused them and his nephew and driver manhandled them at Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong today. Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, Lilong Nagar Panchayat Vice Chairperson Arambam Omila Devi said that they along with a team of Singjamei police station went to Lilong Chajing Mairengkhong to look into an alleged illegal construction of an Anganwadi centre.


Karam Shyam rejects O Joy’s claim

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2016: Langthabal AC MLA Karam Shyam has said that he had revamped 30 different roads including 11 roads which were neglected for long 37 years. Speaking to reporters at Lilong Mairenkhong, Karam Shyam said that former MLA O Joy had propagated that he would revamp roads of the AC. Khumbong Selunba road had already been included in the work programme by him, Shyam said and added that O Joy has been however propa- gating that he would revamp this road.


State stares at financial crunch

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2016: The State’s financial condition has deteriorated severely and is virtually staring at an unenviable situation of overdraft, informed a well placed source. On account of the worsening financial condition, the State is fast approaching the stage of seeking ‘wages and means’ from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The situation is so bad that the Government may not be able to salaries and pensions of its employees and pensioners from September/October.


‘Congress politicised NFSA beneficiary cards distribution’

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 25: Overlooking the rights of BJP councillors and hurting their dignity, NFSA beneficiary cards for Mayang Imphal AC were allowed to be distributed by Congress workers close to education minister Dr Kh Ratan instead. Feeling insulted by this act, BJP councillors of Mayang Imphal Municipal Council did not attend a meeting of selection committee of beneficiary cards of National Food Security Act at the office chamber of the minister today.


BJP urges government to open Ithai Barrage gates

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 25: BJP Manipur has today appealed to the state government to open the Ithai Barrage gates for a week or so to reduce the water level of Loktak Lake which is causing flood in the nearby villages, according to party state spokesperson RK Ranjan.

Addressing a press meet today at the office of the party, Ranjan said in the name of development of the lake, a huge amount of fund have been expended during the last 20 years, however, the project has given more grievances to the people. Ranjan said the project which was meant to develop the lake has only affected its natural beauty.


Sharmila stuns with decision to end fast

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 26: Anti-AFSPA icon and activist Irom Chanu Sharmila today stunned everyone when she announced she would be ending her 16-year indefinite protest fast against the draconian law and also disclosed her plans to contest in the upcoming State Assembly election as an independent candidate.

She however said her fight against the AFSPA will continue and her move is a change of strategy to keep the cause alive. “Yes, I intend to walk out from after my next appearance at the Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 9, 2016 and start a new page in my life,” Sharmila said affirming inquiries whether she has made up her mind to end her fast.


Irom Sharmila’s decision shocks many

The Sangai Express / The Indian Express

Kolkata, July 26 2016: In her sixteenth year of fasting, in a struggle to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Manipur’s Iron Lady, the 44-year-old Irom Sharmila Chanu Tuesday announced that she will end her hunger strike on August 9.For sixteen long years Irom has lived under house arrest as an undertrial prisoner in room number one, reserved for VIPs, in the special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.

Irom Sharmila adopts a totally new approach
Anti-AFSPA crusader decides to break fast, set to join electoral politics

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 26 2016: In a dramatic turnaround, Irom Sharmila Chanu who has been crusading against the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 for the last 16 years with fasting as her only weapon has announced that she would break the historic, unprecedented fast.

Briefing media persons at Cheirap Court complex today after appearing before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, Sharmila stated that she no longer feels she can win the battle against AFSPA with fasting as her sole weapon. She said she will continue her battle against the dreaded legislation from a political platform. Sharmila said that she would contest the Mani-pur Legislative Assembly election as an independent candidate.


Manipur joins UDAY scheme

The Sangai Express / PIB

New Delhi, July 26 2016: The Government of India, the State of Manipur and the DISCOM of Manipur signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme UDAY “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana” today for operational turnaround of the DISCOM. Manipur is the fourteenth State to join UDAY. It is also the first North Eastern State to opt for UDAY for improving the efficiency of the DISCOM.


‘Tribal Affairs Dept works in critical areas’

The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 26 2016: Tribal Affairs, Hills and SC Development Department supplements the activities of other departments like Education, Health, Agriculture among others in critical and remote areas where special attention is needed, said Armstrong Pame, Jt Secretary Hills today.

He was interacting with media persons at a press conference organized by DIPR as part of a series to highlight the development activities of various departments of the Government of Manipur.


Fresh ILP bill before upcoming Assembly session: CM

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 26: The state government in consultation with all political parties and legal experts is putting efforts to produce a fresh bill acceptable by all communities to regulate the rampant influx of non-locals into the state prior to the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session. This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh before media persons today.


Intending NPF candidate shares vision for tribal

Imphal Free Press

UKHRUL, July 26: With time ticking closer to the ensuing Manipur State Legislative Assembly Election likely to be held early next year, intending NPF candidate Hopingson A Shimray from Marao village in Phungyar Assembly Constituency sat down with Ukhrul-based media persons today in a rare moment at UDWJA office to talk about his visions for the aspirations of the Nagas and tribal of the state.

Shimray who resigned from his covetous position as Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer (F&B-IRS) in April last, to contest in the forthcoming polls shared his motivations for joining politics, seeking Naga People’s Front (NPF) ticket and his vision for the future of the people.


India-Myanmar discuss security cooperation

The Sangai Express / PTI

New Delhi, July 27 2016: India and Myanmar today discussed ways to enhance cooperation to check activities of insurgent groups along the border, arms smuggling as also intelligence-sharing among security agencies.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi discussed the issues at a bilateral meeting with a Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Major General Aung Soe in Delhi. During the meeting, security issues, including cooperation to check activities of insurgent groups along the border, arms smuggling, exchange of intelligence information, cooperation in prevention of drug trafficking and checking smuggling of wildlife articles were discussed, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.


Shifting of NFSA rice for Chandel district begins

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2016: Shifting of rice meant for distribution to beneficiaries of Chandel district under National Food Security Act (NFSA) from CAF & PD's Sangaiprou godown to district godowns has begun from today.

CAF & PD Minister Ksh Biren and Health Minister DK Korungthang today inspected the 5000-quintal capacity godown located at Pallel and oversaw shifting works. Ksh Biren told media persons that fair price shop agents would no more need to lift rice from Sangaiprou godown as the State Government would bring district quotas up to district headquarters now.


BJP organises conference at Chandel

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2016: "Give me only 10 honest MLAs and I will change the colour of Manipur. It is very unfortunate that it is hard to get honest MLAs in today's society," said State BJP president Ksh Bhabananda.

He was addressing a one day political conference of BJP, Chandel at the residence of SS Olish, aspirant candidate of Chandel AC. Bhabananda said that no welfare programme for the poor has been significantly taken in the State during the 15 years rule by the Congress.


Railway Minister to lay the foundation

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 27 2016: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu will lay the foundation for construction of Imphal railway station at Malom on July 30. According to an official source, Minister of State for Railway Rajen Gohain will accompany the Union Minister in laying the foundation stone for the station along the Jiri-Tupul-Imphal railway.



BJP asks state to cancel Keystone Infra and Simplex contracts

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 27: BJP Manipur Pradesh executive member Kh Ibomcha today demanded the government to cancel contract works awarded to private companies, which he claims are not registered with the state PWD.

Addressing a press conference today at the Manipur Press Club, Ibomcha said the state PWD has awarded contract works to Keystone Infra and Simplex companies which are not yet registered. He demanded the PWD to cancel all contract work awarded to them at the earliest.


MLA refutes

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2016 : Keishamthong Assembly constituency MLA L Ibomcha has categorically stated that no formal complaint about non-distribution of subsidised rice allocated for the months of January and February has been received from any part of his Constituency.

The MLA was reacting to allegations made by one spokesperson of BJP Manipur Pradesh.


BJP decries ‘sloppy’ NFSA

The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2016 : BJP Manipur Pradesh Scheduled Caste Morcha has alleged large scale irregularities in the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Sekmai Assembly Constituency. Speaking to media persons at his Awang Sekmai Nongthonband residence today, BJP Manipur Pradesh Scheduled Caste Morcha president Ayangbam Oken said that distribution of ration cards for NFSA beneficiaries of Sekmai AC have not been completed till date. Recently distribution of rice started at some places but the quantities of rice distributed at these places were not uniform.

Chapter 10

“Deeper Introspection on Electoral Politics” in the context of Phungyar Constituency
Epao/PR by Dr. Rimai Joy

Delhi today witnessed another huge gathering concerning electoral reforms with special reference to Phungyar Constituency. The meeting was attended by around 120 people in the Conference Hall of Delhi University to discuss and introspect deeper on the electoral politics and the prevailing situation back home for an inclusive and progressive change to be ushered in Phungyar constituency.

The meeting participants included government employees, research scholars, private employees, leaders, students, and well-wishers from both Phungyar constituency and other part of Ukhrul district staying in Delhi NCR.


Gearing up for 2017 to 2019: BJP versus the Cong in NE July 18 2016
Sangai Express Editorial

BJP versus the Congress. This is primarily what it is going to be when the North East States of Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh go to polls from 2017 to 2019. Early days yet but with the exception of Tripura, where the Left Front has been holding sway for decades, the choice before the voters will obviously be between the Congress and the BJP-one a party which has ruled the country for the greater part of the time after India gained independence in 1947 but now appears to be in the ICU and the other a party which is riding the popularity wave. To the North East States what happens in other parts of the country may not count for much, but it is interesting to note that the BJP has already managed to make inroads into the region, following its stupendous showing at Assam where it unseated the Congress party. That the BJP is serious about making inroads into the region can best be summed up by floating the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) wherein it has entered into some sort of a pact with regional political parties of the region such as the Naga People’s Front, the Sikkim Democratic Front, the People’s Party of Arunachal Pradesh, the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front. Moreover significant to note that Assam strongman Himanta Kumar Biswa has been appointed the convenor of the newly floated NEDA.

First it will be Manipur, which is set to go to polls in the early part of next year. Tough to say which way the wind will blow, but already the BJP has started breathing down the neck of the Congress party and a party which swept aside all challenges in the 2012 Assembly election may be pressed hard in 2017. Also interesting to note that from a party which had no MLA when the State voted in 2012, the BJP today has two MLAs who seem to be active and ready to pick holes with the Government. And remember this is the third consecutive term that the Congress has been in power here. It is also significant to note that the Naga People’s Front, which has a strong presence in the Naga dominated hill districts of the State is part of NEDA and when the moment of reckoning comes it is more than likely that they will throw their weight behind the BJP. So probably the Congress may not have a strong ally, either at the valley area or the hill districts in the State, when Manipur goes to polls in 2017 and this may not work to its advantage. This could be because the Congress did so well in the 2012 Assembly election that it did not feel the need to strike any sort of understanding with any of the other regional parties here. A strong example that there is nothing permanent in politics and how the poll verdict here comes out will surely impact on the other North East States too.


BJP notes NFSA complaintsThe Sangai Express
Imphal, July 19 2016: The State BJP is not taking lightly the complaints regarding discrepancies in the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the State, convener of State BJP Election Management Committee Th Chaoba said. Addressing media persons today at BJP office located at Nityapat Chuthek, Th Chaoba said that complaints regarding discrepancies in the implementation of NFSA, which was launched in the State by the CM a few months back, have been pouring in from different quarters on a daily basis.

Chaoba accused the State Govt officials of taking personal advantage of the benefits meant for the poor through delaying tactics. Although the NFSA was enforced in 2013, the same was launched here in April this year only.


BJP opens CCpur officeThe Sangai Express

CCpur, July 21 2016: With an eye on the upcoming Assembly election, the State BJP today made a grand entry in the district, amidst a raging dispute on the party's district functionaries, and set up an office which is claimed to be the legitimate one at Light House Lane here.

The convenor of the party's election committee Th Chaoba; Adim Pamei, vice-president State BJP; V Hangkhanlian, vice-president State BJP; T Mangi, vice-president State BJP; I Mangiton Singh, vice-president State BJP; O Malesh Singh, secretary State BJP and several other executives of the party at the State and the district level graced and addressed the function dubbed as an inauguration of the district BJP office and felicitation of the new BJP president, the convenor and the vice-president from the district.


Leishiyo Keishing interacts with locals
The Sangai Express

Thoubal, July 21 2016: No border trade took place with Myanmar for the past 60 years along the Ukhrul-Myanmar border areas. The area bordering Myanmar remained under developed due to lack of vision of elected leaders, said social activist Er Leishiyo Keishing during a public interaction cum discussion programme held at Town Hall, Kamjong in Ukhrul district yesterday.

The interaction programme was hosted by Bungpa Khullen village. Besides stressing the necessity to expedite border trade with Myanmar in the area, Leishiyo Keishing said that people of the border area could achieve self reliance through border trade. He said that the same can be achieved through sincere, transparent and accountable acts of the leaders concerned.


LNC against Nepalese campaign
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 21 2016: In the wake of the recent 'flagrant campaign' of the Nepali community living in Manipur asserting themselves as the native of the State and their consequent demand for village administration authority, the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC- M) has made its resolute stand on the issue and appealed to the Nepali community to refrain from indulging in acts that has the potential to nurture trust deficit between the Nepalese and the indigenous tribal population.

In a statement, LNC said that a good chunk of Nepalese are living in Liangmai ancestral land under the so called Sadar Hills areas. Apart from some strayed individuals based outside the area who consistently plan and instigate ideas to disturb the peaceful existence, the age old landowner-tenant relationship between the native tribal Nagas and Nepalese have been in practice till today.


Minister rules out foul play
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2016 : CAF&PD Minister Ksh Biren has categorically stated that there is no question of forfeiture, diversion or siphoning off of rice meant for distribution to beneficiaries of NFSA. Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office today, Ksh Biren stated that the Government has started distribution of rice at Rs 3 per Kg to beneficiaries under NFSA.

Informing that generation of ration cards is also on the verge of completion, Biren stated rice quotas which could not be lifted earlier are still stocked at the department's Sangaiprou godown and the same can be lifted any time. If any beneficiary does not get the exact quantity of rice entitled to him/her under NFSA and he/she lodges a complaint under Section 8 of the same Act, there are arrangements for the Government to pay 'food security allowance', Biren informed.

Reacting to BJP Manipur Pradesh election campaign committee convenor Th Chaoba's allegation about rice scam in the State, Ksh Biren asserted that there is no question of diversion or siphoning off of rice entitled to NFSA beneficiaries.


NGO slams State Government
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2016 : While slamming the State Government's initiative to construct a power sub-station inside Yairipok Government Aided High School, the United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM) Women Committee has urged the Government to spare the school campus and construct the power sub-station at a suitable site. Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club yesterday, the Women Committee convenor Mangshatabam Sobita said that Yairipok Aided High School has 460 students against 19 teachers.

Chapter 9

Goal of festival is to promote work culture: Andro MLA
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 10: The 9th state-level pineapple festival cum seller and buyers meet and youth festival 2016 which was organised at Andro concluded today. According to information disseminated with regards to the festival, the quantity of pineapple and juice of the fruit produced at the 240 stalls of the fair this year was recorded at 7090 quintal and about 9000 litres. The festival was organised by the Development Organization Andro Kendra with assistance from Eastern Border Area Development Authority at Thambalnu Market Complex, Poiroupat Lamkhai under the sponsorship of NEC, Government of India.

NPP vexed over vacant seats in ADCsSangai Express

IMPHAL, July 10: The National People’s Party (NPP) has asked the state government why it has never conducted by-election for vacant seats of Autonomous District Councils (ADC) after the death of sitting members. Speaking to media person at its office located at MG Avenue, president of the party’s state unit Thangminlen Kipgen said a former member Nehkholam Chongloi who was elected to the ADC from Sadar Hills died on November 2012 but a by-election was not held for the constituency.


Cong slams Govt on separate passport, flag to NSCN-IM
The Sangai Express / IANS

New Delhi, July 10 2016: The Congress on Saturday attacked the Narendra Modi Government, questioning the Naga accord signed last year and wondered if the Centre had entered into an agreement with the NSCN(IM) “compromising India’s sovereignty and integrity” . The Congress also wanted to know if the Modi Government had promised the Nagas a separate flag other than the Tricolour and separate passports other than Indian passports.

The Congress attack follows an interview given by T Muivah (82), General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), to The Hindu newspaper in which he said that the Nagas had not given up on their demand for sovereignty. In August 2015, the BJP Government signed a framework agreement for the peace accord with NSCN(IM).

Cong raps Centre on passport, flag to NSCN(I-M)
Assam Tribune

July 9: A major confrontation is on the cards between the government and the Congress, with the latter on Saturday opposing the government’s reported bid to give a separate passport and flag to Naga rebel outfit NSCN(I-M) as part of the draft peace agreement.

Addressing a press conference today, AICC media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, who was also joined by AICC general secretary in charge of the North East CP Joshi, former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and former Union Minister Vincent Pala, said: “India’s sovereignty and integrity has been an article of faith for the Indian National Congress. We have steadfastly fought against and sacrificed for upholding India’s territorial integrity and finding lasting peaceful solutions within our constitutional framework. Peace, prosperity and social harmony in the north-eastern States have always been an indelible conviction for the Congress party.”

BJP ticket aspirants strike accord
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2016: Non-Congress candidates who fought for Lamsang Assembly seat in earlier elections and who are now vying for BJP ticket for the forthcoming Assembly election have struck an agreement to support whoever gets the BJP ticket. The ex-candidates came to this understanding at a political conference held today at Khonghampat Awang Leikai community hall under the aegis of the BJP Lamsang Mandal.

They further resolved to fight collectively if the party’s authority gives party ticket to someone else other than from amongst them. Nonetheless, they agreed to strengthen BJP Lamsang Mandal. Addressing the conference, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Ksh Bhabananda compared Congress to an expired drug.
Hiyanglam BJP denies link with Dr Radheshyam
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 11: After enduring many hardships in strengthening BJP in Hiyanglam Assembly constituency since the by-poll was held, it is very unfortunate that Dr Y Radheshyam, who was the candidate of a rival party then, has surfaced out of nowhere to claim himself as an active BJP worker, after noticing a conspicuous improvement in the popularity of the party in the constituency.

This allegation was made in a press statement released by president of BJP, Hiyanglam Mandal, Ch Iboyaima Singh.

Khomdram Ratan slapped with 75 new charges
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 11: Khomdram Ratan, former convenor of Joint Action Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) who was charged of having nexus with the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF), was implicated in another 75 cases by the state police today.

The proceeding of the Writ Petition, civil case no. 426 of 2016, filed by Khomdram Ratan in the High Court of Manipur on June 30, was conducted today at the court.

BJP demands white paper on JNIMS
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2016: Saying that corrupted practices abound in JNIMS, BJP Manipur Pradesh vice-president M Asnikumar has asked the State Government to bring out a white paper on the dealings of the medical institute.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office today, Asnikumar said that there is neither transparency nor accountability at JNIMS. JNIMS is run by a society and its president is the Chief Minister. The Health Minister is the vice-president and its secretary is the Health Commissioner.

The institute looked quite promising in the initial years but it has become quite corrupted over the years. Clarification issued by the JNIMS Director to media recently was disappointing and there are documents about the Medical Council of India (MCI) scrutinising JNIMS for submission of misleading reports.

CNPO decries govt apathy
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 13: The Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation (CNPO) has alleged that it has been cheated by the state government in collusion with the district administration on various issues.

In a statement the CNPO stated that the organisation had verbally appealed to the deputy commissioner to look into the fund sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India for the flood and landslide affected people of Chandel in 2015.

Locals boycott minister Mirabai over NFSA
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 13: Meirapaibis of Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai under polling station 19/11 have boycotted entry of local MLA Ak Mirabai who is minister of Social Welfare in their locality charging her of failing to deliver food grains and beneficiary cards of the National Food Security Act in the area.

Locals of the area today stated a sit in protest condemning the failure of the authorities to deliver the beneficiary cards and rice to the beneficiaries of the area.

BJP to blow poll bugle on Aug 12
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 13: State BJP chief K Bhabananda and his predecessor Th Chaoba discussed the upcoming state Assembly election with national president Amit Shah for more than one hour at Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati today.

A BJP leader from the state who is also in the capital city of Assam said Amit Shah along with other BJP leaders met them after attending the maiden meeting of the Northeastern Democratic Alliance there.


Nagaland accord is a botched deal; it promised 5,000 BSF jobs for NSCN cadre (Full article)
AjaySingh / Firstpost

Last year, the central government announced a “historic” breakthrough with the signing of the draft treaty of the Naga peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). It was projected as one of the biggest initiatives of the new NDA government for peace in the North East.
The draft accord was signed on 3 August by Thuingleng Muivah, the general secretary of the NSCN-IM and RN Ravi, the government’s interlocutor in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

But after the initial brouhaha, the accord was quickly forgotten only to find passing mention on 28 June, with the death of Isak Chisi Swu, the 87-year-old chairman of NSCN-IM.

Upon his death, the prime minister tweeted his condolences: “My heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters of Mr Isak Chisi Swu on his demise. May his soul rest in peace... Mr Swu will be remembered for his historical role in bringing out the Framework Agreement for Naga peace.”

Ten days later, it was remembered again when The Hindu published an interview with Thuingleng Muivah. Muivah, unlike the prime minister, recalled the accord only to claim that the NSCN-IM had not given up the demand for sovereignty. Muivah, of course, couched it in niceties, praising the Union government for understanding the Naga problem in the right perspective, and for realigning its position in accordance with the Naga insurgents.

“That’s a blatant lie,” said an officer of the home ministry, involved in dealing with the Naga insurgency for years. “The sovereignty issue is long dead and gone,” he pointed out, referring to the peace accord of 2011, which clearly stipulated that the issue of sovereignty for each state is taken care of in the federal structure of India.

It might appear like the NSCN-IM’s insistence on sovereignty/autonomy explains the complete lack of progress on converting the “historic” draft accord into a full-fledged one.

But Muivah’s sovereignty claim is not the real impediment. The biggest sticky point in going ahead with the “framework” accord it seems; that the government’s interlocutor, Ravi, clearly over-promised the NSCN-IM on a crucial aspect of the accord: the rehabilitation of the NSCN insurgent cadres. In his eagerness to bring the NSCN-IM to the negotiating table, it is believed that the government interlocutor, Ravi, assured Muivah that about 5,000 cadres of the NSCN-IM would be drafted into the Border Security Force (BSF) as part of their rehabilitation process.

The practical difficulties in implementing this plan and the consequent deep differences within the various wings of the central government are what have held up the nearly-orphaned accord. These pre-conditions for clinching the framework have become a major sore point for various arms of the government — the Home Ministry, the Department of Personnel Administration and Training (DoPT), and the governments of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Assam — the concept of greater Nagaland (Nagalim), as espoused by the NSCN-IM, is intended to be carved out of these very states.

Home Ministry sources say that the demand was quite absurd, and should have been dismissed right away, if not for anything else but for the fact that the NSCN’s cadre strength was hardly above 1,000. “I do not know why the interlocutor had to make such a promise,” said the above mentioned officer.
Two problems have cropped up because of this assurance. One, Muivah is insisting that the recruitment/qualification criterion for BSF be diluted to appoint his cadres and two, he has had to suddenly bump up his cadre strength to 5,000!

As of now, the DoPT has rejected the proposal to recruit 5,000 cadres of NSCN-IM because most of them are not fit to be inducted into a central paramilitary force (CPMF). This refusal of the DoPT is bound to upset Muivah who has mobilised over 4,000 additional cadres and is training them in various camps around Dimapur.

The second problem has the makings of a tragicomedy. Muivah may have quickly scrambled together 4,000 additional “cadres” because there is no dearth of unemployed youth, but he’s having a bit of a problem training them enough to qualify for recruitment into BSF. Muivah has raised nearly five battalions of “cadre” currently undergoing training in various camps around Dimapur. But he does not have the equipment to train such a large force that has emerged out of nowhere. As a result, he is procuring plastic replica of the American M16 assault rifles in large numbers from a toy maker in Noida, near New Delhi, to familiarise his just-born cadres with the weapon. 

This is a comical situation, but nobody is laughing. Because Muivah’s statement about making “Naga sovereignty” a non-negotiable issue carries an underlying tone of threat that if his cadres are not absorbed into the BSF, he will open old demands. A bigger concern for the central government arising out of this outlandish BSF job mela is this: The Naga secessionist group, which had become a dysfunctional, discredited and a moribund entity, has got a fresh lease of life since the “historic” accord last year. It’s ranks have suddenly swelled with the promise of thousands of jobs in the air and if those jobs do not come through, who knows what spurned unemployed youth can do. Even if they have only toy guns.

That’s why you don’t hear much about the Nagaland framework accord in New Delhi these days.

Govt deposited money in Ratan’s account: JAC
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2016: The JAC constituted against declaration of wanted tag on former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan has said that the balance available in Ratan’s frozen bank account was not provided by any banned organisation but deposited by the State Govern-ment to help those who were injured in the pro-ILPS move-ment.

Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, coordinator of the JAC Chandsana said that it was unfortunate to file a counter affidavit comprising 75 different cases by Imphal West SP against Khomdram Ratan at the High Court of Manipur.

MLA inspects river dredging work
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2016: MLA of Keirao AC Karam Thamarjit and Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University Prof HNK Sarma today inspected dredging work carried along Merakhong rivulet that passes through Manipur University campus.

No concrete solution to stop proxy voting: SEC
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 14: State Election Commission, Manipur has no concrete solution to stop proxy voting during local body elections. This was a statement by secretary of SEC, Radharani Mutum who brushed aside a series of questions from media persons on issues related to elections in the state with evasive responses while addressing a press conference of head of department being organised by DIPR at its campus.

State Election Commission, Manipur was constituted in 1994 in pursuance of section 98 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994. The commission is concerned with the work of superintendence, direction and control of all works related to preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of election to all local bodies in the state under their respective relevant Acts and Rules.

MLA Irabot stops private construction in Tribal Colony
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 14: Wangkhei MLA Yumkham Irabot today stopped work on a private construction inside Tribal Colony in New Checkon asserting that the colony’s land is government property and no private party can encroach upon it. The MLA who was accompanied by representatives of Tribal Colony Welfare Association and New Checkon Meira Paibi inspected the particular plot this morning.

Tamenglong-Khongshang road CM reviews, re-tender held
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2016: Even as the National Highway Infra-structure Development Cor- poration Limited (NHIDCL) held re-tender for construction of Tamenglong-Khongshang road yesterday, Chief Minister O Ibobi held a review meeting about the road construction project today.

The review meeting which started at 1 pm and presided by the Chief Minister was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Pamei, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore, Tamenglong DC and officials of BRO and NHIDCL, informed an official source.

Work order for construction of Tamenglong- Khong- shang road was earlier given to Ghaziabad based company Woodhills but the bank guarantee furnished by the company was found to be a forged one.

Subsequently, the entire tender process was cancelled and a fresh tender was held yesterday.

World Bank to help boost power supply in NE India
The Sangai Express / The Northeast Today

Guwahati, July 14 2016: The World Bank on June 24 approved a $470 million loan for the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project.

According to sources it said that the board, which sits in Washington DC, USA, cleared the project, which aims to increase the delivery of electricity in Northeast India. Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director in India said, “Despite being well-endowed with rich natural re- sources, the Northeastern region (NER) in India lags behind the rest of the country on growth and investment climate parameters.

No NSCN-IM cadre to be recruited in BSF: Govt
The Sangai Express / PTI

New Delhi, July 14 2016: The Government on Thursday dismissed the suggestion that 5,000 cadres of Naga militant group NSCN-IM would be inducted into Border Security Force (BSF) .

A Home Ministry spokesperson said there have been reports that interlocutor for Naga talks RN Ravi had assured NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah that about 5,000 cadres of the militant group would be drafted into BSF as part of the rehabilitation process. “It is clarified that these reports are false and have no basis,” the spokesperson said.

P Somojit assumes charge as State BJYM chief
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2016: Pukhrambam Somojit , who was recently appointed as Manipur’s Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) president, today took charge at a reception cum handing over cer- emony held at the party head office in Nityaipat Chuthek. Somojit was handed over the charge by outgoing president O Malesh. P Somojit (38) s/o (L) P Punbum and P Angoubi of Chajing Pukhri Achouba of Langthabal con- stituency, started working for the BJP from 2005 onwards and had served in various ca- pacities in BJYM at National level.

CPI (M) organise rally against anti-people policy of govt
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 15: Cadres of state unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised a rally in front of the offices of Food Corporation of India and Directorate of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution from around 2 pm today, during which many slogans decrying anti-people activities were raised.

Excise commissioner unaware of liquor vendors in city
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 15: “I am not aware of illegal liquor vendors in the city,” asserted State Excise department commissioner Shailesh Kumar Chourasia before media persons today.

He was addressing today’s press conference of the DIPR conducted series of press conference at its complex. Chourasia said the department has collected revenue above Rs 9 crore consistently since the 2011-12 financial year and as during the financial year 2015-16 collected Rs 9.66 crore.

BJP leader asks TOI to rectify mistake on Sushila’s home state
IMPHAL, July 15: The vice-president of BJP Moirangthem Asnikumar has written a letter to Times of India requesting the national daily to correct the identity of P Sushila Devi, the captain of Indian women hockey team to Rio Olympics, who was wrongly mentioned as a person from Madhya Pradesh.

Asnikumar said in the letter that the report which claimed Sushila as a player and person from Madhya Pradesh is potent enough to cause unwarranted misunderstanding and inter-regional tension.

Virtual Governments
15-Jul-2016 Imphal Free Press editorial

 The urgency of issues on the home front still fail to bother those in charge of the government. Even though several time bombs of crises are ticking away in the backdrop, the our politicians seem to be concerned more about prospecting shortcuts to personal career enhancements. This is true in particular of those belonging to the new generation of politicians, who though new have had several switches of political loyalties already. Rumours now are, many in the ruling Congress legislators are lining up to align themselves with the party in power at the Centre, the BJP, in anticipation that the BJP’s clout at the Centre would influence voters in the state in the approaching Assembly election in February next year. Many of them now frequent Delhi, and some of the government’s top executives are even camping in New Delhi under different pretexts, but it is anybody’s guess what their actual mission in Delhi is. Perhaps it would save plenty of time and public money if the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi were to be made the second administrative headquarters of the state. Jokes aside, the reality on the ground is, in government’s virtual absence, various NGOs and “civil society” bodies have taken virtual charge of day to day governance, beginning from excise control, education monitoring, moral policing, and for that matter even normal crime policing. Democratic governance they say is also about a public-private partnership, and perhaps in a skewed interpretation of this understanding, the government has seemingly left governance to private parties, so that those in government can concentrate full time to portfolio angling, contract distribution, lucrative transfers and in an election year, such as now, sniffing for opportunity to switch political loyalties. What a pity.

 Can the ruling party at least, if not all political parties, leave aside their differences and get down seriously to the job for which they were given the mandate by the Manipur electorate. For, as much as the elected government has been reduced to a virtual government, there are also a reciprocal mushrooming of other varieties of virtual governments. Indeed, if the government has been reduced to a virtual status for lack of initiative, these other shadow governments have emerged precisely as an alternative mechanism to fill in this initiative vacuum. Yes, we are not even referring to the underground governments, which have all along been parallel governments by their very ideological positions and the power they wield over public affairs. Instead, we are referring to a multiplying number of “civil society” organisations, the current fad are the various JACs, pushing their social agendas as per their vision of what an ideal society should be. While we appreciate these private initiatives at streamlining deviant social mores, we are disturbed, indeed perturbed by the almost total absence of the government in this overt social engineering process, for this role reversal ultimately will be dangerous for the society. This is also because the vacuum left by the government’s absence is also a hotly contested space between many “civil society” organisations. Surely even friendly matches can deteriorate into chaos if there are no rules, or a referee to monitor these rules are adhered to by all players.

 If citizen’s policing which is becoming an increasingly arresting reality in Manipur today is within the government’s scheme of things, then it must evolve the rules for the game, put strictures, and be the referee as well. What is even more confounding is, often MLAs for whatever their compulsions, have been approvingly flagging off many of these private governance campaigns. Does this mean these campaigns have the government’s blessing? This conflicting message also becomes all the more pronounced on the ban liquor question. On one hand the government had made it known on the floor of the Assembly that it was for lifting the two and half decades long ban on liquor sale and consumption in the state to augment its revenue. It is another matter that the ban has only managed to drive liquor vending underground. On the other hand, government functionaries are often seen participating, or at least pretending not to notice the significance of the drives for abolishing liquor by various organisations. Can the government come out with something clear cut on this matter and more? Again, whichever way it decides, let the government be the one that leads and not follow these campaigns. Have no doubt, this is one effective way for it not to self-destruct its own credibility before the eyes of the public.

Electoral roll revision, EVM preparations on: CS
The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 15 2016 : Electoral exercises to prepare for the forthcoming State Assembly elections have begun, said Oinam Naba-kishore Singh, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur who is also the Chief Electoral Officer while addressing a press conference organized by DIPR at its premises here today.

He said that electoral roll revision has started and the draft electoral roll would be published in September 2016.He further said the term of the present Assembly ends on March 18, 2017 and hence elections have to be done before that.So far there has been no announcement of dates for the elections, he added. Checking of EVMs will begin from tomorrow.

Chapter 8

Horticulture plantation reaches 35 pc of target
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 4: Manipur has a potential area of about 2,77,064 hectare for development of horticulture, which constitutes about 12 percent of the total geographical area of the State. So far about 35 percent of the potential area is already under plantation of horticulture crops and the target for 2020 is its expansion to 80 percent.

Addressing the first day of the press conference series of government departments being organized by Department of Information and Public Relation at its office complex, additional director of Horticulture, AS Ningmei, said that of the total plan schemes fund for horticulture, only 15 percent is contributed by state while the rest 85 percent is supported by CSS and NEC.

LDA rejuvenates Loktak lake
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 4 (DIPR): For overall improvement and development in the fields of fisheries, agricultures, tourism and afforestation of Loktak lake, the main tourist attraction of the state, the Government of Manipur constituted the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) in 1986.

Under the project ‘Conservation and Management of Loktak Lake’, major activities viz management of phumdis in the lake, improvement of drainage system, desiltation at the critical areas, construction of cross regulator, catchment area conservation, construction of sanitary toilets, biodiversity and enhancement of fish resources with the establishment of hatchery, operationalisation of hatcheries etc.

Pan-Naga body is a figment of imagination: Satyendra
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2016: Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary (North East in-charge) Satyendra Garg has categorically stated the speculation that establishment of a pan-Naga body would be the solution of the peace talk between the Government of India and NSCN-IM is some people's figment of imagination.

A seven-day training programme on commercial flori- culture was opened today at KVK Hengbung. The training programme organised by Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services (FEEDS) is being participated by around 60 farmers. Speaking to media persons after the inaugural session of the training programme, Satyendra Garg stated that rumours and hearsays should not be taken as truths.

BJP, Uripok appeals
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2016: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uripok Mandal has appealed to the Dis- trict Supply Officer (DSO), Imphal to distribute beneficiary cards of NFSA through related official/staff and not through MLA or Corporation. In a statement, the general secretary of BJP, Uripok Mandal Ch Nongthouba said that the distribution of ration cards by MLA or by their agents is a disturbing trend and improper in the light of the upcoming Assembly elec- tion in the early part of 2017 and is a political gimmick of some politicians with a popu- list agenda to gain political mileage.


PBCC clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2016: Patsoi Block Congress Committee vice presi- dent Sadokpam Nongpoknganba has clarified that 19 persons who have recently joined BJP are not the members of Patsoi Block Congress Committee. Speaking to the media persons at Manipur Press Club, he said that none of them had enrolled in Patsoi Block Congress Committee.

He stated that the news item which appeared in the media regarding joining of some PBCC members to BJP was a dirty politics played by the BJP State unit to discredit PBCC and Patsoi AC MLA and Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai. He said that those who had been recently feted by BJP unit were former ration and SK oil agents but not the members of PBCC. Their term as ration and SK oil agents had expired on March 31 with the implementation of NFSA. He also alleged that the agents had joined BJP in pursuance of their own benefits.

Dissidence in Congress
Editorial (by Irengbam Arun), Imphal Free Press
2 July 2016

Of late, the rising dissidence in the ruling Congress party has become the talk of the town. Okram Ibobi Singh has been in the hot seat for almost 15 years and this could become a factor in the coming 2017 assembly elections as it did in neighboring Assam. One needs to study the factors which led to the fall of Assam strongman Tarun Gogoi who was at the helm of power for three consecutive terms, i.e. fifteen years. He was a regional satrap and loyalist of the Gandhi family.

Of course, anti-incumbency was a major factor in Tarun Gogoi’s defeat. But the humiliating defeat at the hands of BJP was due to the exit of his onetime trusted lieutenant and master strategist Himanta Biswa Sharma who was not happy with Tarun Gogoi’s projection of his son Pradip Gogoi as a possible successor. The Gandhis were blind to the rising dissidence in the state Congress ranks and an upbeat BJP.

Coming back to Manipur, can Okram Ibobi withstand the anti-incumbency factor and the winds of change? Let us rehearse his 15 years in power. From a political stooge who backstabbed his benefactor and who went on to become an astute political player, his uninterrupted reign was in fact facilitated by a harsher anti-defection law and manipulative politics. It became simply impossible for an alternative or challenger to rise from the ranks within the party as he had the blessings of the Gandhi family and the party high command. It was only after the Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand episodes, that the party high command had lent their ears to the state dissidents which led to change in organizational leadership and a minor reshuffle of the ministry.

However, the changes had not been able to mend the deep fissures in the party. Instead, it led to a division in the dissident ranks. Perhaps, this led to an official rebuke of the party government from the party spokesperson Nongthombam Biren, a leading dissident. He had openly criticized the Okram Ibobi led Congress government for knee-jerk reactions to problems facing the state instead of seeking sustainable solutions. Add to that, the recent visit of BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and NEDA Convenor Himanta Biswa Sharma who allegedly met some MLAs including Congress dissidents. Reports of 28 Congress dissidents including 2 ministers wanting to switch camps to BJP have surfaced after the visit.

There is no doubt that Manipur is BJP’s next target in the northeast after Assam. But the question is who is going to be Manipur’s Himanta Biswa Sharma? The BJP stands to gain from dissidence in the Congress party. But, first it has to put its house in order.

17 new faces inducted in Modi Govt
The Sangai Express / PTI

New Delhi, July 05 2016: 17 new faces including BJP leaders S S Ahluwalia, and M J Akbar and allies Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal and Ramdas Athawale of RPI were today inducted along with two old hands Vijay Goel and Faggan Kulaste into the Modi govern-ment in expansion and re- shuffle in which five were dropped and Environment Minister Prakash Javedekar was elevated to the Cabinet. The second exercise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in little more than two years since he took over in May 2014 saw a number a dalit and OBC leaders being given ministerial positions done apparently with an eye on assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand next year and Gujarat later.

16 new office bearers of BJP inducted
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 8: Four vice-presidents were among 16 new office bearers of the BJP, Manipur Pradesh whose appointment were announced today. According to a press release issued by state party chief K Bhabananda, M Hemanta Singh, V Hangkhalian (ST), M Asnikumar (SC), and Adim Pamei (ST) had been appointed as vice-presidents of the BJP Manipur Pradesh. On the other hand, Thongju MLA Th Bishwajit and N Nimbus will function in the posts of general secretaries while Robin Blackie was retained as the treasurer.

CM admits Cong losing some ground
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 8: Speaking in retrospection of the party’s performances at the recent Imphal Municipal Corporation elections, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has admitted that after almost 15 years of ruling the state anti-incumbency factors may be finally catching up with the Congress party and registering a victory at the 2017 Assembly election could turn out to be harder than expected. The chief minister was speaking at the official reception of newly elected Congress councillors and members of ward development committee held at Congress Bhavan today. 

RK Anand let his constituency down, claims BJP leader
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 8: Developmental works in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Assembly constituency initiated by local MLA RK Anand have failed and the public are the witnesses, said O Malesh state secretary of BJP. Briefing media, Oinam Malesh said one of the developmental project, the Phuramakhong water supply reservoir, was found accountable of not maintaining proper quality control during construction. The water supply was constructed under proper planning and policy programme for provision of tap water for half of the people in the constituency, he said.

SFs cannot use excessive force in AFSPA areas: SC
The Sangai Express / The Hindu

Imphal, July 08 2016 : Serving a blow to immunity enjoyed by armed forces under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) against criminal action for acts committed in disturbed areas, the Supreme Court on Friday held that armed forces personnel and police cannot use "excessive or retaliatory force" in disturbed areas.

A Bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and RK Agarwal upheld the highest constitutional court's power to entertain and deliver justice under Article 32 of the Constitution in a plea made by the families of civilians killed in over 1,528 cases of alleged fake encounters involving the army and the police force in Manipur.

In a judgment, which will have ramifications in sensitive border areas across the country, the apex Court held that the allegations of fake encounters in Manipur by the Army and the Manipur Police should be "thoroughly enquired into." It stressed that security forces cannot use excessive force and then claim immunity from criminal action.

Rs 60 cr approved
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2016 : The Expert Committee constituted under the Ministry of Urban Development has given approval for sanctioning Rs 60 crore for works including augmentation of drinking water distribution network in Imphal.

According to an official source, the sanction approval was given by the Committee under phase II of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in its meeting held today at New Delhi with Urban Development Secretary in the chair.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Dept of Expenditure, Dept of Economic Affairs, NITI Aayog, Dept of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Dept of Environment and Forest and National Institute of Urban Affairs and Town and Country Planning Organisation.

Manipur was represented in the meeting by Commissioner, MAHUD RK Dinesh, Director of MAHUD and Mission Director of AMRUT N Geetkumar and Chief Engineer of PHED H Sunil.

All party meeting on Bill today
The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2016: In connection with the State Government's initiative to draft a new Bill for protection of indigenous people of the land, another round of meeting of all political parties has been convened at 9 am tomorrow. The meeting which would be held at the Chief Minister's conference hall would be presided by the Chief Minister and it would discuss about drafting a new Bill ahead of the forthcoming session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Chapter 7

State to miss national newspapers, magazines
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 26 (Agencies): Manipur will go without national and regional newspapers and news magazines for one month beginning from Sunday as the sole agent in the state was forced to shut shop by the Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA). The agent, M/S P.C. Jain and Co., was found stocking, displaying and selling copies of the Manipur General Knowlege written by R. Gupta and published by Ramesh Publishing House, New Delhi, which was banned by the KSA activists. As a “form of punishment”, the KSA said it asked the agent’s shop to be shut down for one month.

CPI hopeful of a winning formula
The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2016: Certainly there must be a formulae where there is accord between hill people and plain people regarding the popular demand for enactment of Constitutional safeguard for protection of all indigenous people of the land, asserted CPI Manipur State Council Secretary Dr M Nara. Speaking to media persons at Irabot Bhavan here today, Dr Nara lamented that Manipur, at present, is drifting like a rudderless ship. Although it was said that the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015 was sent to the President of India, it was the Ministry of Home Affairs which dealt with the Bill, Dr Nara said. He said that as he must attend CPI's National executive meeting, he went to Delhi in advance ahead of the all party delegation which had a meeting with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently regarding the three Bills.

Workers leave Congress
The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2016: Seventeen Congress workers and former PDS agents of Patsoi AC have left Congress decrying favouritism allegedly shown by Patsoi Block Congress Committee (PBCC) and Social Welfare Minister and local MLA AK Mirabai in the selection of Fare Price Shop agents of National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, JAC Against Newly Selected Fair Price Shop of Patsoi AC co-convenor Thongam Arun alleged that AK Mirabai and PBCC did not select Fare Price Shop agents in a fair manner. As the Minister and PBCC executives indulged in favouritism, 17 former PDS agents, who were also the active Congress workers, unanimously decided to tender resignation and leave the party, Arun said.

NPF concerned
The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 27 2016: The Naga People's Front (NPF), Nungba AC unit has expressed serious concern over the alleged absence of the BDO, Khoupum and staff members of the office at this time of the year when students need various documents for their further studies. In a statement, the NPF, Nungba AC said that people under Khoupum block are blind about the location of SDO/BDO Khoupum as the BDO and his staff do not attend office resulting in the closure of the office. Many students missed admission at various institutions due to the non-attendance of office by the SDO/BDO and staff of the office at this time of the year when students need various documents from the office for their further studies, it said.

Cong spokesperson N Biren comes down hard on Ibobi govt
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 28: MPCC spokesperson and Heingang MLA Nongthombam Biren has today lambasted the Okram Ibobi led Congress government for shying away from seeking sustainable solutions.

He said, until the government does away with its present practice of making stopgap arrangement for all contentious issues, unresolved issues will forever continue to haunt the state. Biren, a minister is the previous SPF government said, these inactions are due to lack of knowledge among the leaders and their inability to handle crisis situations.

NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu dead
The Sangai Express / PTI

New Delhi, June 28 2016: Naga militant leader Isak Chishi Swu, who led a bloody insurgency in the North East for over three decades, died on Tuesday following multi-organ failure. The 87-year-old chairman of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) was undergoing treatment for almost a year at a private hospital in South Delhi where he breathed his last around noon, Nagaland Government spokesperson Kuolie Mere said.

Swu, who belonged to the Sumi tribe, hailed from the Zunheboto district of Nagaland and his body will be taken to his native place tomorrow for last rites.

Hemanta lashes out at Chief Minister
The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 28 2016: Former Minister and BJP spokesperson M Hemanta today lashed out at Chief Minister Okram Ibobi for the latter's remark on the sinking of the newly inaugurated multi storeyed shopping complex at Thoubal Wangmataba on Sunday.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, during his inspection of the damaged structure on Sunday, said there are no technical defects in the construction of the building and that the contractor and engineers should not be blamed for the damages. BJP spokesperson M Hemanta, in a statement questioned who is to blame for the damages if it was neither the engineer's or the contractor's fault.

24x7 power for all by 2019: CM
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 29: Manipur has prepared a vision document for providing 24x7 power for all by 2019 with the creation of additional transmission infrastructure, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said at the conference on electricity and related issues today.

The conference held at the Hotel Classic Grande was jointly organised by Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur & Mizoram, Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd and Manipur State Power Company Ltd.

BJP demands white paper on Tongjei Maril Road
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 29: Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd has today clarified that the portion of hill slope cutting completed along Tongjei Maril Road is 62 kilometre while black topping work has been completed for a stretch of only one kilometre.

The clarification came in the wake of an on-the-spot investigation by a team of people of Nungba Assembly constituency led by executive member of BJP state unit, Adim Pamei, yesterday following the circulation of reports supposedly originating from officials of the construction company that 90 percent of the work had been completed.


CLP discusses NFSA problems
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 29: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today chaired a Congress Legislative Party meeting and discussed the various issues raised by several sections regarding implementation of the National Food Security Act. The meeting which commenced at 4pm inside the CM’s office lasted till late night, according to reliable sources.

The meeting, informed the sources, discussed the issues ranging from the allegations regarding the authorities failure to properly distribute beneficiary cards, failure to distribute proper quantity of rice under the scheme and issues surrounding selection of fair price shop agents.

NPF harps 'Naga integration'
The Sangai Express

Senapati, June 29 2016: A one day political conference cum interface of the Naga People's Front (NPF) Manipur State Union (MSU) was held today at Indoor Stadium, Senapati. Participated by over 200 NPF workers and supporters, the conference also observed one minute silence to mourn the demise of NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu at New Delhi after prolonged illness. An interface session chaired by Worthing Horam, president, Youth Wing, NPF, Manipur was also held after the formal programme with the NPF central leaders and ADC Members, MLAs and State executive members. The functions of the party and its principles were deliberated keeping in focus the coming 2017 Manipur Assembly elections. The conference was chaired by Veino Solomon, working president NPF-Manipur.

BJP Manipur likely announce office bearers
Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 30: BJP Manipur president K Bhabananda is likely to announce the new office bearers of the party for the term of 2016-18 tomorrow, informed a reliable source. According to the source, Bhabananda during his recent Delhi visit had discussed the issues surrounding the appointment of office bearers of the state unit and the list of state executive members of the party. It is believed that first list of office bearers is likely to be announced tomorrow.

CM assures journalists welfare programmes
The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2016: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has assured to take up different measures for the welfare of journalist fraternity of the State. The assurance was given during a meeting with representatives of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) today. Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club after the meeting, AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai said that the AMWJU team submitted a charter of demands comprising ten points to the Chief Minister during the meeting.

Minister inspects
The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 30 2016: Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam today inspected the progress of Industrial Estate construction at Tera Urak (Tengkhal Khunou) in Bishnupur district. The Minister strictly instructed the concerned work agency/contractors to give due emphasis to the qualitative aspect of the construction work. Govindas said that the Govt is planning to inaugurate the Industrial Estate in Bishnupur and Thoubal by next month. Construction of 12 blocks of the Estate has been completed while the administrative block construction is almost completed.