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
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