IMPHAL
TUESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2014
Maths competition Demand for separate State
ATSUM cautions
Mungchan zimik
UKHRUL, Oct 27: Catholic
schools bagged most of the
prizes of the second edition of
Ukhrul district level Mathematics competition organised
by Longyo Welfare Development Society LWDS held at
Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Ukhrul district.
Altogether 768 students
from more than 26 schools
from Kamjong, Phungyar,
Chingai, Lungchong Maiphai
and Ukhrul blocks took part
in the competition.
Amongst 60 prizes, the
convent schools bagged
around 50 prizes.
Worshim Shimrah Class
VII from SHHSS scored
87% which is the highest
among all the competitors
while Rinsitphi Rs and
Ramngahan Kharay clinched
the second and third position.
Sochiula Luiram SHSS
topped in Class V category
Shommi Shaiza of Savio
School, Thotharin Bernice
KAS stood second and third
position while in Class VI
category,
Thanyuila
L
Shimray from Savio School,
Star Zimik and Tachamphy
secured first, second and third
position respectively.
For class VIII category,
the winners were Thotchui
Vashi from SHHSS, Zingya
C’ Raman and Rinsemla
Luiyainao Shimray. Songaror
Elijah KAS of Savio School
bagged the first prize in
Class-IX category while
Masan
Zingkhai
and
Shangchon Shangh won the
second and third spot.
Class X category winners
are Shatyik C’ Ahum of OTC
Jr Academy, Rinchuiso
Keishing and Ramyophy
Keishing from Phungyar
Government Higher Secondary School. LWDS also
expressed gratitude to all the
prize donors.
KANGPOKPI, Oct 27
Drug seller held
IMPHAL, Oct 27: A team of
Narcotics Cell, Imphal West today arrested one drug seller
namely Md abdul Kalam (29),
s/o Md Abdul Salam of
Churachandpur Old Bazar,
presently residing at North
AOC, Imphal, according to a
statement issued by the PRO,
Police Department. Md Abdul
Salam was arrested from North
AOC, near Kekru Villa. The
team also seized 5420 capsules
of Spasmo Proxyvon, 160
strips of Nitrusun-10 tablet, 6
bottles of Elturex cough syrup.
A case has been registered at
Imphal PS for further investigation.
Teachers protest
IMPHAL, Oct 27: Teachers
under All Manipur Elementary
School Teachers’ Association
(AMESTA) today launched a
fasting agitation at Japhou village,
Chandel
district
demanding pay hike and others.
AMESTA general secretary Ch Shantakumar said
teachers under AMESTA are
deprived of their rights due to
indifferent attitude of the authority concerned. He warned
of launching various forms of
agitation including mass
Court arrest if the Govt fails
to meet their demands after
the Association's general body
meeting on Nov 3.
ABA appeals
IMPHAL, Oct 27: The Athletic Brother’s Association
(ABA) has urged the authority
concerned to facilitate immediate
inauguration of the newly constructed water reservoir near its
playground at Kshetrigao. Secretary of ABA, Md Abdul
Kalam asserted that the
construcrtion of water reservoir
was started in 2007-2008 under
PHED. However, the reservoir
is yet to be inuagurated. Water
scarcity in Kshetrigao has
caused much inconveniences to
the people of the area. As such,
he urged the authority concerned to inuagurate the
reservoir at the earliest to end the
water shortage crisis.
KTU affirms
SENAPATI, Oct 27: Reacting to news report regarding the
stand of Kuki CSOs' decision
to resist payment of tax to KTU,
a KTU functionary Thangboi
stated that the statement of the
Kuki CSOs that NSCN
(GPRN) is pressuring the KTU
to levy tax on the Kuki was
baseless. The KTU in-charge
Thangboi also lashed out on the
Kuki CSOs, for trying to
communalize the issue and
bringing misunderstanding between the twocommunities.
PNTM congratulates
IMPHAL, Oct 27: The
Poumai Naga Students’ Union
(PNTM) extended congratulation to MPS designate CL
Thotreithing s/o (L) CL
Honpam of Thiwa village for
clearing the MCSCCE 2014
conducted by the Manipur Public Service Commission.
1,000 hr bandh begins in Karbi Anglong
DIPHU (ASSAM), Oct 27
The 1,000 hour Karbi Anglong
bandh called by Joint Action
Committee for Autonomous
State (JACAS) began this
morning, affecting the normal
life and vehicular movement on
highways passing through the
district.
JACAS has called the
bandh from 5 AM today till 9
PM on December 7 in protest
against the delay in announcing the dates for next round
of talks since the last one held
on November 6, 2013 for
creation of a separate autonomous state within Assam
under Article 244 A of the
Constitution.
Karbi Anglong district
Superintendent of Police (SP)
Mugdhajyoti
(RPT)
Mugdhajyoti Dev Mahanta
said no untoward incident has
been reported so far.
All educational institutes
and financial establishments
remained closed, while negligible attendance has been
recorded in government offices across the district, he
added.
Mahanta said vehicles remained off the two National
Highways passing through
the district although there was
no blockade reported in any
part of Karbi Anglong.
From
September
1,
JACAS had organised an indefinite hunger strike seeking
to restart the tripartite dialogue
between JACAS, Assam
government and Union government.
After reportedly getting an
assurance from a messenger
of the Union government that
the next date for discussion
would be announced soon,
JACAS withdrew the strike.
However, as no communication has been received from
the Centre for more than one
and half month, JACAS decided to go ahead with the
1,000-hour bandh.
JACAS is also demanding
a bill regarding creation of a
separate state during the forthcoming Winter Session of the
Parliament.
On Saturday, Nagaland
Chief Minister T R Zeliang
wrote a letter to Union Home
Minister Rajnath Singh expressing concern about the
bandh stating that Nagaland
and Manipur have been the
worst-affected by frequent
bandhs imposed by various
organisations
in
Karbi
Anglong. The Chief Minister
expressed apprehension that
the bandh would practically
stop supplies of all essential
commodities to the neighbouring two states and
appealed to Singh for his
personal interv ntion. PTI
Normal life hit in Nagaland
by bandh in Assam
KOHIMA, Oct 27
Normal life was affected in parts of Nagaland today by 1000hour Karbi Anglong bandh called by Joint Action Committee
for Autonomous State (JACAS).
People scared about the shortfall of essential commodities
and price the rise of essential commodities, especially petroleum products, vehicle users were seen queuing up to fill up
their vehicle tanks to keep stock.
The bandh is likely to affect the state as most of essential
commodities reaches Nagaland through Karbi Anglong district in Assam.
"Nagaland has sufficient stock of both the products. These
items are being transported by rail so there is no scope of
any adverse effect due to the blockade," Additional Secretary
to Nagaland Government, Hairang Lungalang said in a
statement.
Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce &
Industries (CNCCI) also in a press conference assured
people that there is enough stock of essential commodities
in the state.
Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce &
Industries (CNCCI) President Hokivi Chishi and general
secretary Dr Khekuga Muru said, "There is enough stock of
all the essential commodities including petroleum for at least
three weeks."
CNCCI informed that the district administration and police of Karbi Anglong and Golaghat district have also assured
to provide police escort and supply of essential commodities
will not be affected due to bandh.
The escort timing will be 8AM, 11AM, 2PM and 4PM,
the confederation informed.
On Saturday, Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang wrote
a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressing
concern about the bandh stating that Nagaland and Manipur
have been the worst-affected by frequent bandhs imposed by
various organisations in Karbi Anglong. PTI
The All Tribal Students’
Union, Manipur (ATSUM)
today cautioned all
educational institutions in
the State to ensure proper
care and concern of tribal
students in their respective
schools in availing prematric scholarship under TD
Department.
Emboi Serto, President
of ATSUM said that most
of the educational institutions in the State show
little concern for the tribal
students who applied for
pre-matric scholarship. He
said that only few schools
have given information
regarding the scholarship
to the tribal students.
Serto said that even in
some schools tribal
students were denied their
legitimate right to apply for
the scholarship.
Some school Principals
or headmasters also
refused to sign or forward
their recommendation to
the students who are
applying for the scholarship, pointed out Emboi
Serto, while adding that
such indifferent attitude
and communal treatment
would only solicit misunderstanding and sow the
seeds of communalism.
He further warned of
launching agitation for
such uncalled for treatment
of tribal students.
Banned wildlife products recovered
UG cadre arrested
Computer, printers stolen
JIRIBAM, Oct 27: A computer set along with two printers have
been stolen from Jiribam ZEO office last night by unidentified
persons. The miscreants also tried to break four Godrej almirahs
kept inside the office. The ZEO office has no proper fencing and
gate.
Dr GS Moirangthem
IMPHAL, Oct 27: Dr GS Moirangthem, Professor and Head,
Dept of Surgery, GI and MS, RIMS has been elected as the president of Society for Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of
India during the election of SELSI held in Bhubaneswar on Sept
20 last, according to a statement.
JFA appeals for health
insurance scheme in Assam
GUWAHATI, Oct 27: The Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) has
appealed the Assam government to immediately launch a comprehensive health insurance scheme for the benefit of all working
journalists of the state. The JFA also urged the owners/managements of various newspapers and news channels of the region to
extend support in the endeavour of the Forum. The Forum in a press
release today expressed concern over the serious health condition
of two senior journalists undergoing treatment in a private hospital
here. The release issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria said senior scribes Hiten Mahanta and
Bhupen Borgohain are in a critical condition in the intensive care
unit (ICU) of the hospital.
Asem Kiran Singh of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai presenting gift items to inmates of Short Stay
Home, Nongmeibung to mark the death anniversary of his mother Asem Pramodini
'Meghalaya has serious problem
about quality of forest cover'
SHILLONG, Oct 27
Meghalaya has the highest
forest cover which stands at
77 per cent in the country, but
there is a serious problem
when it comes to the quality of
forest cover.
"Out of the 77 per cent
forest cover in Meghalaya,
only two per cent is verydense-forest and forty five
per cent is moderate-forest,
while the rest falls under the
category of open-forest
which is hardly a forest,"
Principal Secretary in-charge
Forest and Environment Department M S Rao said.
He was delivering a special lecture on "unlocking
green opportunities" organised by the Meghalaya
Economic Association today.
"We have been trying to
protect the forest cover by
adopting pre-conditions put
forth before any proposed
projects to be set up in the
state," Rao said, highlighting
"the state also has a stringent
set of laws in terms of air,
water, environment protection and so on."
The senior government
official, however, was of the
opinion that the state has a
fairly good set of laws, but
implementation of them depends solely with the
enforcement, "where the
weakness lies".
"We hope to redress this
problem very soon," Rao
said.
Stating his department has
made quite a progress on
this sector, he said, "We
have completed mapping the
forest cover in the state, a
measure taken for proper
management of forests."
According to him, the
state is facing various challenges in term of poverty and
livelihood of the people
largely depend on forests.
Speaking on the occasion
as
the
chief
guest,
Meghalaya Chief Secretary
PBO Warjri said the state
government in Meghalaya
was concerned about the
environment, loss of aquatic
NIA says that FICN is pushed into India to
fund groups like JMB
KOLKATA, Oct 27
The National Investigating
Agency (NIA) is of the
opinion that Fake Indian
Currency Notes (FICN)
continue to be pumped
across the border from
Bangladesh to fund the
activities of outfits like the
Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen
Bangladesh (JMB) and
Indian Mujahideen (IM).
The high quality fakes are
printed in Pakistan and
routed to India through
Bangladesh. Till a few years
ago, it was believed that
Pakistan sends in FICN to
weaken the Indian
economy.
"This theory may not
be correct. We now
suspect that sending in
FICN is a form of the
much talked about
'Money Jihad'. A clear
pattern has emerged
regarding the route of the
FICN once it reaches
Indian soil. A large part
of it is sent to places like
Moradabad in Uttar
Pradesh that have links
to terror outfits. The
remaining has been
tracked to southern
states, particularly to
locations from where
terror modules are known
to operate. This is a
continuing process.
Despite the developments
over the last few weeks
that has led to tightening
of security, attempts are
continuing to push in
FICN from across the
International Border into
Bengal. Even when IM
co-founder Yasin Bhatkal
was first arrested, FICN
was found in his possession," a source in the
NIA said.
Early on Sunday, the
Border Security Force
seized FICN of face value
of nearly Rs 14.90 lakh
from near Sasani in
Malda. Troops of the
125Bn BSF seized the
FICN that was thrown
across the border fence.
The BSF's South Bengal
Frontier claims to have
BHUBANESWAR, Oct 27: Claiming that its Special Court Act
has been yielding positive results, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik today said conviction rate in the corruption cases has
reached a record 46 per cent this year.
"During the past 5 years, 503 public servants have been
convicted by Vigilance Courts and 137 public servants have
been dismissed from service on grounds of corruption, which
is a major step towards cleansing public life," Patnaik said
while addressing a function marking observation of vigilance
week here.
He said this year for the first time that the conviction rate
in different vigilance cases have reached 46 per cent, which
is a record.
Stating that the state government had established as many
as 15 Special Vigilance Courts in the state for expeditious trial
of corruption related cases, Chief Minister said, "The role of
responsive, well informed, and vigilant citizens in fighting the
menace of corruption is paramount, and this week gives us an
occasion to raise the awareness among people."
Corruption in high places affects badly the morale of subordinate public servants and has larger impact in the society,
Patnaik said, adding that the state government had always laid
much emphasis on maintenance of the highest standard of
integrity and probity among senior public servants, including
those holding high political offices.
"Odisha is the first state in the country to enact the Special
Courts Act towards achieving probity. The endeavour of the
government had received nation-wide recognition as the state
governments of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have
enacted legislations on the line of the Odisha Special Courts
Act," he pointed out.
Patnaik said two Special Courts have been established at
Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. "So far, 176 cases of corruption
had been transferred to these Special Courts for expeditious
trial and 20 accused persons holding high public offices have
been convicted," said the Chief Minister.
As the state government has initiated several e-governance
projects in order to promote greater transparency in government services and convenience to the people, Patnaik said: "It
is a matter of great satisfaction that such initiatives have
yielded satisfactory results in improvement of the quality of
living conditions of the common people."
While lauding the achievements of the special courts, director of vigilance K B Singh said: "We have attached properties
in about 100 cases under the provision of the special court
act." PTI
Meeting on Agartala-Akhaura
railway link project on Oct 29
IMPHAL, Oct 27: Troops of 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR
under the aegis of HQ IGAR (S) apprehended five individuals
along with banned wildlife products at Khudengthabi check post
on October 26.
The apprehendees have been identified as S Mangminlian
(31) s/o Sinminthang of T Khajang, Churachandpur, Md
Ibrahim (52) s/o (L) Md Salaodin of Lilong Haoreibi Turel
Ahanbi, Thoubal, Moirangthem Jatishwar Singh (35) s/o
Iboyaima Singh of Thanga Moirangthem Leikai, Bishnupur,
Phijam Ranjit Singh (36) s/o (L) Ph Babudhon Singh of
Khurai Puthiba Leikai, I/E and A Ngamsei (85) s/o (L)
Jangkhongam of Moreh Ward No 1, Chandel.
18 pieces of tiger teeth valued at Rs 50 lakh, 120 gm of
Heroin, one Tokay Gecko, one Adhar card, one mobile phone
and three voter ID cards were recovered from them, said a
statement issued by the PRO of IGAR (S).
The apprehendees along with the recovered items have
been handed over to the Forest Department, Imphal.
IMPHAL, Oct 28: Troops of 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR
under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) apprehended a KCP woman
cadre on October 26 at Sita.
She was traveling in a grey colour Maruti Van bearing
registration number MN – 07D 0694. The apprehendee has
been identified as Keisam Kabita Devi (20) D/o K Ibopisak
Singh of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai, Imphal East. One Aadhar
card and a mobile phone were recovered from her possession.
The apprehendee alongwith the recovered items has been
handed over to the Singjamei PS, according to a statement
issued by the PRO of IGAR (S).
46 per cent conviction in
corruption cases: Naveen
seized FICN of face value
of nearly Rs 1.07 crore in
2014 alone. The NIA,
which has taken part in
several of these raids
believes that its merely a
tip of the iceberg. For
every load of face value
Rs 1 lakh seized, at least
Rs 10 lakh manages to
reach the hands of the
terrorists through the
highly-porous border.
"This is a serious
threat. The activities of
such outfits can't be
contained till the funding
can be stopped. Efforts
have been made to cut off
other sources but the
FICN continues to flow
in. This is such a welloiled racket that
investigators have rarely
managed to nab people
apart from the couriers
who know little. Among
the bordering states, West
Bengal is selected as it
has a good network of
roads and railways that
connects places like
Kolkata and Malda with
other parts of the
country," the source
added.
What is making it very
difficult for authorities is
the high-quality of the
currency notes being
circulated. According to
officials in the Ministry of
Home Affairs, Bangladesh
has pleaded helplessness
and said that the FICN
isn't printed there but
smuggled in from Pakistan and West Asian
countries. So is Bangladeshi Taka. A few years
ago, fake Bangladeshi
Taka ended up in salary
packets of Bangladesh
Rifles (now Border Guard
Bangaldesh) personnel.
According to the NIA,
FICN brought into India
is distributed through
agents in large 'mandis'
or wholesale markets
where currency remains
in circulation for months
and even years before
being deposited into
banks.
Courtesy: TNN
life due to pollution and
deforestation.
"The government has
been conscious on the need
to protect environment by
launching different green
schemes and missions to
make promote green thinking among the citizens," he
said adding, " M i s s i o n
Green is an effort to protect
forest and make people conscious on the option to
preserve the environment."
On the issue of climate
change, the chief secretary
said, "The recent floods
which hit the state is an unusual one. It is surprising that
the number of deaths are not
because of floods alone, but
two-thirds have died due to
landslides."
"Something is going on
in the environment," he said
while informing that the
state government had also
engaged an agency to take
up a study on climate
change. Warjri also release a
book – "Green Economy in
India". —PTI
AGARTALA, Oct 27: The External Affairs Ministry has called
a meeting of the fourth inter-ministerial steering committee, officials of the Railway Board and other ministriesto discuss the
pending issues of Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) railway line
project on October 29.
"Many pending issues relating to the Agartala-Akhaura
railway track including funding will be discussed in the meeting to be held on Wednesday in Delhi and a modified detailed
project report will be prepared," Tripura transport secretary
Samarjit Bhowmick told reporters here today.
Bhowmick, who would also participate in the meeting, said
Rs 302 crore would be required to acquire 100 acres of land
in the Indian side to lay the tracks.
The 15-km-long Agartala–Akhaura railway route would
connect Indian Railways with the Bangladesh Railways
through the North-East which would improve connectivity and
boost trade between the two countries.
The entire cost of the project is being borne by India and
the project would be implemented by the Northeast Frontier
Railway.
This project was approved by an agreement signed by then
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Bangladesh Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina in January, 2010 in Delhi.
The 1,700 km distance between Agartala and Kolkata
through would be reduced to 350 km if passengers from here
could move through Bangladesh. PTI
Train services disrupted due
to rail blockade
GUWAHATI, Oct 27: Train services were disrupted today as
hundreds of Amri Karbi Association picketers blocked railway
tracks at Tetelia station near Chandrapur for nearly five hours.
According to a statement issued by the Northeast Frontier
Railway here, the agitators, demanding autonomous council
and Scheduled Tribe status, blocked the tracks under the
Lumding division from 4 AM to 8.40 AM disrupting train
services and affecting hundreds of passengers.
The trains that were affected are 15604 Dn Intercity Express, 12423 Dn Rajdhani Express, 15960 Dn Kamrup
Express, 15910 Up Avadh Assam Express, 15817 Up Rajya
Rani Express, 12067 Up Jan Shatabdi Express, 55601 Up
Kamakhya-Lumding Passenger and 55604 Dn Moirabari–
Guwahati Passenger.
Picketers of the same organisation had earlier on March 14
blocked the railway track at Tetelia and six passenger trains
were detained for 150 to 190 minutes, the release added. PTI
Nagaland Govt sets up HPC
KOHIMA, Oct 27: The Nagaland government today constituted
a High Power Committee (HPC) to inquire into alleged irregularities, lapses and loopholes into the process of conducting Joint
Entrance Examination (JEE) and selection of candidates for pursuit of various technical courses through the Common Selection
Board (CSB). The five-member HPC headed by Additional Chief
Secretary C J Ponraj would suggest measures for streamlining the
whole process and submit its report to the government within one
month. PTI