IMPHAL, MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2014 Brief News SSAWASilver jubilee celebration THOUBAL, Oct 19: The Social Service and Welfare Association(SSAWA) today celebrated its silver julibee at its office ground at Wangmataba Sorok Makha. The function was attended by Waikhom Prafullo Singh, vice-chairman, Thoubal Municipal Council, Dr Akoijam Brogen Singh, Councillor, Ward no 1, Thoubal Municipal Council and Dr Asem Bijoy Singh, retd Director of Health, Government of Manipur as the chief guest, president and guest of honour. Elders above the age of 80 were presented with gifts during the function. Elder's Sunday observed IMPHAL, Oct 19: MBC Centre Church observed Elder's Sunday at its Church premises at Chingmeirong today on the theme 'Respect for the elderly.' Former Rajya Sabha member Dr Rishang Keishing, RD and PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa and MBC Centre Church Pastor L Simon Raomai spoke on the occasion. The elders were later presented with tokens of respect by MBC members. A cultural event was also hosted for the elders during the observation. AJUCA to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba JIRIBAM, Oct 19: All Jiribam United Clubs' Association (AJUCA), Jiribam will celebrate this year's Ningol Chakkouba at Jiribam Kadamtala community hall on October 25, AJUCA secretary in charge N Dharmendra said in a statement here today. The association has further called for support from the masses in the celebration. The Directory released IMPHAL, Oct 19: NE Yellopages Manipur Chapter's The Directory was released at Manipur Press Club today. AMWJU president Wangkhem Samjai, Robin Khwairakpam and Director of Bina Informedia Biraj Sharma graced the release event as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively. Teacher threatens Headmistress for non-issuance of duty certificate Jiri News Network (JNN) IMPHAL, Oct 19: While Education Minister of the State, Moirangthem Okendro is making all out efforts to bring a dynamic change in the education sector, a Government teacher posted at Keirao Bitra Primary school is enjoying monthly salary without attending school for almost a year. The irregular teacher from Iroishemba, Imphal west was posted in the primary school on September 26, 2012 under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, SSA. According to the teachers' attendance register of the school, he ceased attending duty from November 2013. During these months, he had attended the school for only 12 days, a reliable source revealed adding he has been drawing his salary despite his failure to attend the school. Sources further revealed that the said teacher used to attend school at the time of salary release. With the State Government recently giving nod for salary release to the employees ahead of Ningol Chakkouba, the irregular teacher turned up at the school and demanded the Headmistress to issue duty certificate so that he can obtain his salary for the absent months. He has even threatened that the Headmistress would be liable for any untoward incident if the certificate was not provided, informed the Headmistress and added that the threat has created a severe mental harassment to her and her family members. Earlier, the said teacher had cashed out his four months salary. Since the prolonged absence of the teacher has created problems in the functioning of the school, with limited staff, the school management committee including the Headmistress had earlier lodged a complaint with the Zonal Education office requesting the same to take up disciplinary action against undutiful teachers. However, with the authority concerned failing to take action, all the efforts went in vain, informed the source. With an official of the Education Department, favouring the irregular teacher rather than taking up disciplinary action against him, the teacher has always been lackadaisical towards the warnings of the Headmistress. Keirao locals, on being informed about the threat imposed on the headmistress by the teacher, held a public meeting at the premises of the Primary school wherein many local clubs and Meira Paibi organizations took part. The meeting resolved to urge the Govt to ban the sanction of salary of these irregular teachers for all the absent months and also to transfer the teacher from the school immediately. The meet also urged the Government to suspend the officer posted at the ZEO Zone II office for dereliction of duty. NE hate crime : NESO submits Debate competition held memorandum to Kiren Rijiju Newmai News Network DIMAPUR, Oct 19: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has submitted a five-point memorandum to Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Saturday pertaining to the series of attacks on North East people in Delhi and other metropolitan cities in India. The first NESO demand is for setting up of a Special Police Cell in all the Metros which would cater specifically to cases related to racial discriminations and atrocities on students and people from North East in line with the Delhi model, with a provision that it is manned by police officers from NE States. NESO also demanded capital punishment of the perpetrators of the heinous crime at the earliest. The memorandum of NESO also included the demand for inclusion of North East - its geographi- ZB(AMN) condemns Dr Priyokumar award attacks on NE people IMPHAL, Oct 19 The Zeliangrong Baudi(AMN) has strongly condemned the recent murder and brutal attack on students and youth of the North East in metro cities of India, according to a statement issued by the general secretary of ZB(AMN). People from the North East who live in metro cities of the country repeatedly face abuse, sexual harassment and attack because people of North East have distinct looks and facial features. Series of atrocities on the people of North East have been taking place every now and then in the major cities of India. Such brutal attacks on innocent people of North East region are the “acts of barbarism and cowardice”. These incidents deserve to be condemned by every rational thinkers, the statement said. The statement urged Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister, Government of India, Government of Delhi, Government of Karnataka, Government of Haryana, law enforcing agencies, and all the Chief Ministers of North East States to take up immediate action and punish the guilty persons in exemplary and befitting manners so that such inhuman acts do not recur. It may be mentioned that when Nido Tania, a student from Arunachal Pradesh, was murdered in New Delhi in January, 2014, it led to a huge public outcry. After that incident, nothing has changed on the ground. The 11 member Bezbaruah Committee was formed after the death of Nido Tania. According to Bezbaruah Committee report there are more than two lakh people from North East region who have migrated to Delhi, the capital of India from 2005 to 2013 and about 86% have faced some sort of “racial discrimination” in metro cities across the country. The Committee had conducted a study into the problems faced by the people of North East and it recommended measures to reduce the problems faced by them. Till date, no action has been taken on its recommendations, the statement added. It appealed to North East people to unite and fight against the human rights violations and injustices. Painting, poster competition held IMPHAL, Oct 19: Royal Theatrical Club, Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai has felicitated Professor Mayengbam Akshyakumar Singh, clinical psychologist on winning the prestigious Dr Priyokumar Award, 2014 presented by the Dr Priyokumar Singh Trust. Royal Theatrical Club heartily thanked Indian Psychiatric Society, Manipur Branch and Dr L Priyokumar Singh Trust for nominating Professor Akshyakumar for the award. AR saves Wild Boar attack victim IMPHAL, Oct 19 : In a bizarre incident, Ngakuipam (26) of Langdang village, Ukhrul was treated at the unit hospital, 41 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) following multiple injuries sustained from a wild boar attack. The victim had gone to his paddy field to oversee the harvesting when he was attacked by a rogue wild boar inflicting multiple deep lacerated wound over his left thigh and buttock. The Medical Officer and medical team of the unit hospital attended to the injured man with utmost care. The village authority of Langdang expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles for the humanitarian service rendered to the poor villager in dire need of medical aid. Police nab UG IMPHAL, Oct 19 : An active member of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has been arrested by police at Wahengbam Leikai Jiri Parking area yesterday, according to a press release issued by PRO, Police Department Manipur, S Gautam Singh. The arrested ZUF member has been identified as Meinguiliu Gangmei (28) w/o Akham Gangmei of Chingkhonglong village, Tousem Sub-division, Tamenglong district. Investigation has revealed that she was involved in many prejudicial activities like kidnapping of traders along NH-37. Recently, she along with her husband and other fellow members had kaidnapped two betel leaf traders along NH-37 and extorted a huge amount of money. A case has been registerd at Imphal Police Station and investigation is still on, it said. By Our Staff Reporter IMPHAL/THOUBAL , Oct 19: As a part of the Nation wide celebration of National Sanitation Campaign, a painting competition organised by the District Water and Sanitation Committee PHED, I/E was held at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat today. Speaking at the occasion, Imphal East DC M Joy Singh said that the painting competition was held so as to make the children aware of solid waste material. He further said ‘if the youth of today’s society maintain a clean habit of living, compulsorily the future generations will follow the healthy habit’. He added that as a part of Modi's aim to make India a clean country by 2019, Imphal East too is trying to achieve the status of clean, waste free district by 2017. He further appealed to the public to extend their utmost help and co-operation. The function was attended by SE Planning and Monitoring, Ph Yaima, EE Imphal East Division Ksh Lalitbabu and many other officials. On the other hand, District Water and Sanitation Committee Bishnupur and Social Educational Health and Cultural Organisation, Bishnupur today organised a district level painting competition at Bishnupur Public School today as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The competition which was divided into two categories was participated by around 330 students. Prize distribution programme for today’s competition would be held on October 23. Meanwhile, the Lions Club Canchipur Imphal today organised a poster contest under the theme : “Peace, Love and Understanding” at Standard Robert Higher Secondary School. Altogether, 45 students participated at the contest. L Lokendro Singh, president, Lions Club Canchipur Imphal asserted that the winner of the contest will participate at the district level competition and then to multiple council who would be then selected for international level contest. It can be recalled that two students from the State participated in the contest in international level in the past and have also won US dollar 2000. Mary Kom, the movie screened IMPHAL, Oct 19 : The movie ‘Mary Kom’ was screened at Ukhrul Talkies organised by 41 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) for the locals of Ukhrul town on October 17. The movie telling the life story of ace boxer Mary Kom, who hails from a modest background has made the Nation proud by achieving wonders in the international boxing arena, was screened targeting mainly the youth and children of Ukhrul to inspire and motivate them to come out and showcase their talent to the outside world. Around 350 people watched the movie ‘Mary Kom’. AR apprehends UG cadre IMPHAL, Oct 19 : The troops of 22 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) apprehended an active cadre of UNLF from Hiyanglam Awang leikai, Thoubal today . The apprehendee was identified as Elangban Frank alias Rupa Singh (25) s/o Elangbam Pishak Singh of Hiyanglam Awang Leikai, Thoubal, said a press release issued by the PRO of Assam Rifles. The apprehendee has been handed over to Kakching police station. Amphibian communities collapse in wake of viral outbreak LONDON, Oct 19 Two closely related viruses that have been introduced to northern Spain in recent years have already led to the collapse of three different species of amphibian -- the common midwife toad, the common toad, and the alpine newt -- in the protected area of Picos de Europa (literally "Peaks of Europe") National Park. In all, six amphibian species have suffered from severe disease and mass mortality as a result of the outbreak, and researchers who report their findings in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on October 16 say that the viruses appear to be on the move. Preliminary evidence shows that related ranaviruses are emerging in other parts of Europe, which surely means more bad news for amphibians ahead. "The capacity of these viruses to infect multiple species means that there is the possibility that some host populations may be extirpated due to infection," says Stephen Price, now of UCL. "Pathogens that can exploit more than one host simultaneously are able to persist even when one host drops to low numbers, and eventually zero, because there is another susceptible host available." In one instance observed by the researchers, a snake even became sick and died after feeding on an infected amphibian. The viruses in question belong to the family Iridoviridae. They have been known to cause disease in fish and reptiles but have also been noted for their ability to sicken and kill amphibians in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The new study is the first to document the deadly infection striking multiple amphibian species at once with such serious impact. Price's coauthor Amparo Mora-Cabello de Alba, a biologist in the national park, and her colleagues grew alarmed after witnessing the first mass mortality events in 2005. The illness produces systemic hemorrhaging, open sores, and the death of limb tissues. Park staff contacted Jaime Bosch of Madrid's Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, an expert in frogs and toads, and together the team began careful monitoring of the park's amphibians. Worryingly, the species declines observed in the park have shown no sign of rebound, and, in some locations, species have been all but lost. "Our work reveals a group of pathogens that seem to have preexisting capacity to infect and evade immunity in multiple diverse and novel hosts, and that are exerting massive impacts on host communities," the researchers write. cal location, its people, its culture, its ethos etc. – in the syllabus of schools under all State Boards and Central Boards including the CBSE. It also demanded a one time policy for recruitment of at least 5000 Delhi police personnel in the respective capitals of 8 NE States out of those thousands of police personnel recruited by Delhi police. NESO also demanded the enactment of a stringent law to deal with crimes against the people from North East. According to NESO, although such incidents have been vehemently denounced by the Government at different levels, the North Eastern community continue to suffer from the unabated attack and assault against their communities endlessly. IMPHAL, Oct 19: A State level open debate competition organised by the Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) was held at Manipur Press club today. Professor L Sadananda, retired Principal, Manipur College attended as speaker of the competition. Waikhom Mani Girl's College, Thoubal, HoD Anthropology Assistant Profesor Kangabam Sadananda, Manipur College, Department of Economics Assistant Professor L Gojendro and Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa lecturer Thokchom Rajen judged today's competition. Prizes were later conferred on the winners of the competition during a prize distribution ceremony hosted after the event. ‘Govt’s plan to establish Film Institute at Chingkhu unfitting’ By Our Staff Reporter IMPHAL, Oct 19 : The Khundrakpam Chingkhu Loukol Kanba Lup (KCLKL) and Chingkhu Village Authority (CVA) have condemned the State Government’s decision to establish a film institute in Chingkhu Loukol area. Speaking to mediapersons at a press meet held at Manipur Press Club today, president KCLKL Nongthombam Iboyaima has urged the State Government to withdraw the plan of setting up a film institute in Chingkhu. The people of Chingkhu were never informed about it when the site was being considered for the set up by the Government, he said. Of the 181.45 acre area where Government has planned to set up the institute, 55 acre covers a hand pump, community tank and the only playground for children and youth of Chingkhu. The playground helps the youth and children in many games including football, cycling and athletics. Establishment of the institute will take away the playground from the aspiring sports lovers amongst the younger generation of Chingkhu. It would not be wrong to say that the decision of Government will kill the spirit of the youth who would otherwise bring fame to Manipur through sports. Most importantly over 125.61 acre of the total site area is covered by paddy field which serves the livelihood of over 80 percent of the total population in Chingkhu. The Government does not have the right to stamp on the right to livelihood of the farmers. The Government’s decision is an implication to evacuate the place. The local populace of Chingkhu, village authority, lup along with all the civil organisations of Manipur would take up strong steps if the Government does not consider a different and more favourable site, he asserted. A copy each of the memorandum appealing to consider a different site for establishment of the Film Institute have been submitted to the Revenue Minister, local MLA and Imphal East Director Art and Culture Department by Village Authority secretary Khoisnam Ibomcha Singh, he added. Reproductive health camp held Our Correspondent CHAKPIKARONG, Oct 19: A one day mega reproductive child health free medical camp under the aegis of Chakpikarong block programme management unit with due support from 21 Assam Rifles, Sajik Tampak was held at Sajik Tampak public ground on October 14. The camp was organised to give maximum benefits to the residents of the surrounding villages. The medical team which attended the free health camp consisted of 4 Allopathic doctors, 2 dental surgeons, 2 Road accident kills 8 in Arunachal ITANAGAR, Oct 19 : Eight labourers died and three others were critically injured in a road accident near the 100-meter point beyond Tohangam, 35 km from Tezu township, in Arunachal's Lohit district. The ill-fated vehicle was heading for Walong in Anjaw district from Assam's Tinsukia when the accident occurred at 3.30 pm on Thursday, police sources said here on Saturday. A police team, led by sub-inspectors B Ghosh and Kaling Perme, along with a medical team, reached the spot after receiving information. The deceased have been identified as Saidul Miya (18), Samir Miya (40), Monoranjan Berman (26), Sapan Berman (26), Md Rahman Miya (32), Anisur Rehman (24), Sasardhar Bermon (34) and Raju Chetry (18), the driver of the SUV. Md Zaksa Hussain (28), Md Mishra Kakar (20) and Md Haham Ali (24) have been critically injured. They are undergoing treatment, sources said. The bodies have been kept at the district hospital for postmortem. The vehicle could not be rescued as it had plunged into a deep gorge. -TNN Ayush doctors, nurses, lab technicians, physiotherapists, counsellors, TB, ASHAs and Asha’s facilitator from the block as well as from the district. A total of 510 (189 male, 321 female including children) were examined by the doctors and medical staff providing the basic facilities of general medicine, gynaecology, dental, ICTC, immunization, TB, malaria and AYUSH. The 21AR under the initiatives of Major Bose, Commandant of 21 AR Sajik Tampak provided free transportation facilities to the villagers. The camp was later visited by Ningthoujam Geoffrey IAS, Deputy Commissioner Chandel, Lalenthang Kom IAS, AC to DC Chandel, SDO Chakpikarong, Dr Birchandra Singh, CMO Chandel, Dr Monoringa Sumpi, MO i/c CHC Chakpikarong and management staff of National Health Mission, Chakpikarong block after the formal inauguration of USG and X-RAY facilities at CHC Chakpikarong, Chandel.