Man who promises jobs to Manipuri youths absconded

Office address provided by his NGO Nehru Peace Foundation turns fraudulent 

By Rinku Khumukcham
A person who promises job to 600 youths of the state absconded today after the state Social Welfare department lodged a complaint with the police. Another two lady company of the persons were left in the hotel. Police has been investigating the matter on whether the two ladies have anything to do with him and also on the whereabouts of the absconded person identified as Jose Thomas. 

Sadar Hills demand committee threatens serious agitations

weeklong economic blockade from midnight of July 31

By : Rinku Khumukcham

Sadar hills districthood demand Committee today threatens to launch serious agitation demanding to create Sardar Hills - a full fledged district. Speaking to a press conference held at kuki inn Kangpokpi, president of the committee Ngamkhohao Haokip announced to launch a weeklong 24 hour total economic blockade along the National High Way 39 and 53 from the Midnight of July 31. 

State commerce and Industries department blames successive government influences to the failure of Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill

Government begins process for compensating 30 percent subsidies to Hotel Classic 

By: Rinku Khumukcham

The Public Account Committee of the Manipur legislative assembly headed by Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam continues to grind state government department as well as state Public Sector Undertaking companies and statutory corporation to find out the facts of massive irregularities and misappropriation of funds as reported in the Comptroller Auditor General report. 

Right to education Act turns as flop show in Manipur

Students still attend school without shirts and books 

By Rinku Khumukcham, Imphal

The significance of the Right to education act in the state of Manipur seems to have lost its value as many children of the state have been deprived of proper facilities provided under the various central government schemes. ISTV News crew led by Naoroibam Philips have found out that the central government sponsored scheme SSA survives just for name shake at some of the school in Imphal East and Senapati district. 

Preparation for 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly underway

CEO Manipur Opens Facebook account to create awareness among the young voters

By:- Rinku Khumukcham

Hectic preparations are being underway in the Chief Electoral Officer office of the state government for successful conduct of the 10^th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which is likely to be scheduled during the month of February next year. Speaking to media persons CEO PC Lamkunga said preparation of voter identity cards has now reached 93% percent which was only 91% last time. He further assured that by December, before the commencement of the state general election the department is hoping to complete providing 96% to 98% of the voter identity card. Lamkunga further said that maps for all polling stations in the state have been prepared with the help of the Remote Sensing Application Center. He said all location of the 2195 polling station in the state of Manipur had been identified using the global positioning system.

An Exclusive Interview With Industries Minister Yumkham Erabot.

A Man Who Stands To Check Corruption

(this interview was taken sometime in August 2010, (when he was in charge of Consumers' Affaire) soon after Y Erabot had brave NH53 with few of his escort to take stock of the conditio of the highway, at a time when Naga bodies imposed prolong economic blockade. I am reproducing this just to remind my readers about the personality of Minister Y Erabot who was once in the center stage.)

By : Rinku Khumukcham

Q: When and why did you join politics? What’s your political goal?

Y. Erabot- There was no original aim and object in joining politics. I was a worker of the then Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP, the then leading opposition party in Manipur) in the statehood demand movement in 1960. Since then I have been inclining towards politics.

RTI Activist sour with electricity Dept Mischievious Information

By: Rinku Khumukcham

Has the state government department cheating the general public by giving wrong information while answering question asked under the right to information act?  The matter came under suspicion after the state electricity department said that all formalities of agreement or contract between the state government and the NHPC regarding transfer of Loktak project was stated to have been submitted to the later in the year 1971 when Loktak Project was not even to the dream of the state.

Third round of tripartite talk held at Senapati

Central government roles critical in the talk as the representatives throw the ball to the state government court

By:Rinku Khumukcham

The third round of tripartite talk between the center, state government and the Naga civil societies under the initiative of United Naga Council UNC failed to bring out any amicable solution as the later stuck to their demand for an alternative arrangement for all Naga people living in Manipur. While Chief Secretary DS Poonia who is leading the state representative said that they had good dialogue, Chairman of the, Committee for Alternative arrangement of the UNC Sword Vashum termed the result of the talk as not fruitful as the talk failed to arrive at any concrete decision for sorting out the demand of the Naga People. On the other hand central government representation to the tripartite talk appeared critical as they throw the ball to the state government in making any move for ending the present crisis.

Proscenium Dialogue :

A Paradox of Societal Reformation

Rinku Khumukcham

Like any other organs of mass media, proscenium theatre is very much a part of our life. The illustrators in this medium are as tough as those of the newsmakers. Like, the newsmen, who harness all their energies to alert or make aware of the day today happenings around us, these proscenium players forecast the reality of the present contemporary society. However, a slight difference between the two is that, while newsmen condemn the venality of politicians, law enforcers and corrupt administrators in the form of direct reporting or editorial write up; the proscenium players interpret the retrospection of the societal conflict and tension with stylization of the body movement and dialogue. However, this intrapersonal oral medium of communication cannot rally its impact to the society without the help of newsmen due to the limitation of its receivers. The paradox arisen here is that, this society still does not recognize the importance of this medium of mass media - on its roles on reforming the society. The ignorance of the theatre culture as a source of wisdom by the so-called bureaucrats or politicians is the most unfortunate part.

More Newly Constructed Drainage Side-walls plunge

Central team appreciation sours common people as matter of quality control remain unnoticed

Rinku Khumukcham

A day after DoNER Secretary Jayanti Chandra had expressed satisfaction to the progress of the various developmental project being undertaken by the state government, portion of a side wall drainage constructed under JNURM plunged today morning leaning to the opposite direction.

The incident happened near construction side of Capitol project at Chingmeirong. When our reporter reached the spot early today morning labourers were seen busied repairing the piece of plunged structure to cover up from getting notice of the higher authorities as well as the local people and media. The area has been expected to have maintained the highest quality control in the construction works due to the proximity of the Capitol Project where the Chief Ministers as well as other concern ministers frequently visited for inspection.

Speaking to our news reporter the contractor of the said portion explained the situation as negligence of the road construction labourer which has been taking up simultaneously. He said the portion of the drainage side wall was plunged after the roller rode close to the wall without checking the maturity of the constructed portion. But the explanation of the contractor failed to convinced our news reporter as he witness the mixture of concrete to be a third class one. One can easily plug out the cemented concretes with bare hands. 

On the other hand locals of Chingmeirong had questioned about the significant of the drain constructed along both the road sides as the level was comparatively higher from the residential area where hundreds of them have been settling. ISTV camera crew made no doubt to even a minor child that the drainage system will never serve to the residence of the area as the level of the drain was much higher (www.istvimphal.com June 8 English News). The same has been seen, being constructed along the MI road in between Keishampat to Khagempalli area. Even as uninterrupted works are being seen taken up along the proximity area of capitol project no authority seems to care about checking its quality.

The type of incidents which is a true lie about the maintenance of quality control is not the first of its kind, certain such incident had happened earlier. Appearance of cracks at the roof of the newly constructed Kwairamband Keithel Nupi Market complexes, breach of newly constructed retaining wall at Takyel area of Nambul River, collapsed of drainage side wall construction at Kakwa area, collapse of culvert at the right wing canal of Khuga multipurpose project had already been witness by the people of the state in the recent times.

Front page local media reports about the satisfaction of the central team led by DoNER Secretary Jayanti Chandra, Director for Ministry of Finance Vandita Kaul and others to the developmental project being taken up by the state government took most people by surprise. When it become an opened secrete to everyone that no central government sponsored project which are being taken up under NLCPR and Special Plan Assistance (SPA) had never been followed the original guidelines, how could they expressed dissatisfaction, a senior citizen question.

Dr. Thongbam while speaking to this journalist said if the central government team felt that quality is not the matter in taking up the Central government sponsored project then there is something going on between the visiting central team and the state government representatives.

In the feedback column of Sangai Express news a commenter wrote - The so-called high profile team visiting Manipur has no teeth, as there is no member in the team who has the technical and engineering knowledge about the projects being inspected. These bureaucrats only know about kickbacks/commissions and signing in the un-reviewed official documents. Such teams come and go and do not make any difference in the quality of projects being undertaken in Manipur.

SPF Govt. ‘No Mercy’ Eviction Drives Shattered Hopes of Many

Victims Spent Sleepless night Imagining the dark Future

Rinku Khumukcham
 

Evicted families of Lamphel area spent sleepless night protecting their young ones as unfriendly rains and summer heats falls upon them after the state government “no mercy drive” for development had left them homeless. It was disheartening to see the helpless parents watching their young ones collecting books and other materials from the mess up with tears rolling down on their cheek. The eviction drive was conducted within a short span of merely a month without making proper arrangement of the settlers along the site for some of them even over decades. The eviction drive began on June 6 afternoon all of a sudden putting everyone in surprise.

Source said the loyal employees of the Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had began the ‘No Mercy Drive’ after he directed to do so during his recent visit at the site for construction of NIT. Around 20 houses and many shops in Yaipha Leikai Mamang in Lamphel area near the Employment Exchange office were evicted using three bulldozers and four tippers. According to official source, SDO Radhamani Mutum had issued the eviction orders on June 3. On June 5, Lamphel police had reportedly warned the residents to shift from the houses, shops and hotels at the earliest. The official source was however different from those of the statement of the settlers which had been evicted. They said they were not given adequate time for shifting of their house. As bulldozers accompanied by a large number of police force came all of a sudden on Monday morning and started destroying their houses one after another people of the area helplessly streams tears witnessing the scene. Some of them busied trying to collect their belonging while other screams with pains helplessly.

State government Works Minister, PDA Chairman and other officials were also present when the “no mercy government action” was underway. Some villagers said that they had been residing in the area since the last 50 years and that they owned dag chitha – that is, land owner certificate of the areas where they were residing. They also said to their surprise, Lamphel police came on June 5 at around 11 am and pasted an eviction order dated June 3 on a pillar near the Lamphel Employment Exchange Office and began the eviction work Monday morning. They termed the act as biased since the police did not carry out evictions in the adjoining areas. Meanwhile, students of the evicted families stand stunned after seeing their houses destroyed while returning back from school. Some of the children cried with utmost pain and sorrow while the younger ones were received by their parents. The parents had left no choice but to feed their children in the open space where their houses were evicted.

Government “no Mercy eviction drive” perhaps may have been a far sighted dream for the Okram Ibobi led SPF government to develop the state. But it is no right to drive out the helpless and poor without giving them alternative means for survival said a senior citizen. He also said that people knows why these development project have been taking up at one time in a hasty manner without making a way out for public conveniences. He further said the government might be able to fool some people for sometime but not all the time. It may be mention that the eviction drive was conducted in the presence of  Imphal West DC, Lamphel SDO, Works Minister K Ranjit, PDA Chairman Kh Loken, I/W Addl SP Herojit, SDPO Lamphel Balram and OC Ingocha. Out of the 20 houses evicted yesterday around 10 of them possesed dag chitha for their land.

MLA Wungnaosang Keishing escapes militants’ ambush; 7 security escorts killed, 6 injured

Imphal 15 april, 2011;

Phungyar Assembly constituency MLA Wungnaosang Keishing today escaped militants ambush at Rehang area under Lamlai Police station. Seven of his security escorts including his driver were killed in the ambush while six other personnel were injured. Wungnaosang sustain minor injury at his hand and was immediately made way towards Imphal in an Ambassador car. The ambush happened at around 2.30 pm on his way back to Imphal after attending an awareness campaign on HIV and AIDS at Hera village under Pungyar Assembly constituency. Report reaching here said heavily armed militants numbering around 30 came down heavily using automatic machine guns near Rehang area which is about 2 kilometer from Yainganpokpi towards Ukhrul side. The vehicle at which Wungnaosang Keishing was travelling falls into a gorge. The driver of the vehicles along with one security escort died on the spot however, Wungnaoshang Keishing made a narrow escaped from the militants’ strike. Six other security escort sustained injury during the attacked. All the injured were immediately rush to RIMS casualty and those in critical condition were evacuated at Shija Hospital. The militants reportedly leave the spot after attacking the MLA and his security escort.  Luckily the media team distance themselves from the MLA’s vehicles as they went sometime ahead. Wungnaishang Keishing was on his way back to Imphal after attending an awareness campaign on HIV and AIDS organized by Manipur Legislature Forum on HIV and AIDS at Hera Village. The team of media went along with the MLA for media coverage of the HIV and AIDS awareness campaign. None of the underground group claimed the ambush at the time of filing this report.

Mentioned may be made that Wungnaoshang Keishing has recently supported the demand for establishment of a full-fledged Pungyar District which is presently under Ukhrul district. A memorandum on the regard was submitted to the Chief Minister at which the later gave them positive responses. The demand was however opposed by the Naga Apex Body UNC and called upon the district demand committee to withdraw the representation submitted to the government. The UNC in a press statement said that the demand for a new district is the handiwork of the adversaries to vitiate and derail the Alternative Arrangement process which is in progress peacefully and democratically.

The United Naga Council also said that the Naga people in the State of Manipur have severed all political ties with the Government of Manipur demanding the intervention of the Government of India for an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.

The UNC statement was strongly reacted by Wungnaoshang Keishing saying that the diktat of the UNC is anti development. It is worth mentioning here that UNC is a Naga organization which has been supporting the cause of the NSCN-IM which is currently undergoing peace talk with the government of India.

Those killed in today’s ambush at Rehang village has been identified as one Kunjo of 6^th MR and one Sunil of 2^nd MR. Others are yet to be identified. Those injured currently undergoing treatment at RIMS casualty were identified as MD Ali Rahman and Takhelambam Zilabanta of 1^st MR and Sangthem Mangi of 6^th MR. The other three injured evacuated at Shija Hospital has been identified as Stefen Keishing, Thokchom Sunindro and Voria Keishing of the Manipur Rifles battalions. Most of the injured are stated to be in critical condition and the number of death might increase. 

Upa Pradhan Among 2 Arrested Along With Hand Grenades and Detonators

Two persons including an upa pradhan allegedly came to hurl bomb to civilian residence were arrested by Imphal West Police Commando along with three hand grenade and three detonator.

According to police both were cadres of proscribed PREPAK working under the command of one Chaoba also known as Pakhangba of PREPAK project one. One among the arrested person identified as Khaidem Ibomcha Singh also known as RK or Rohit is the upa pradhan of ward number 6 of Khurai Laishram GP. He is about 38 years old and is a resident of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai. The other arrested person has been identified as 38 years old Leihoarungbam Robinchandra of Khurai Puthiba Leikai of Khurai Lamlong. Both of them along with the articles seized from them were display today to media persons at Imphal west district police commando complex.

(In Photo:Above : the grenades and detonators seized ; below the two persons arrested)

Speaking to media persons DSP of Imphal West district Police commando Ibomcha said the two persons were nabbed along with three hand grenade and detonators when they were on their way in an Activa Honda bearing registration number MN01R-8981 to hurl the bomb at Singjamei area by a team of police commando who were conducting duty after receiving specific information about their presence. He said both the persons were used by the PREPAK to transport arms and ammunitions of the outfit besides hurling of bomb to civilians and government employee’s residence. The police also seized two mobile phone, three identity cards and the grey colour Activa Honda that were riding. On further interrogation the police team also learnt that the three hand grenade were collected from a lady at Uripok. 

KCP claims responsibility over the shooting of Reliance tower Caretaker at Wangkhei; JAC against the killing condemn the mindless killing

11.pm 6 April 3011

Armed group KCP today claimed responsibility to the killing of Reliance caretaker Oinam Borobabu at his Wangkhei Wangkheimayum Leirak residence on Monday night. A press statement released through e-mail by one Yaiphaba, of the Information and Public Relation Department of the outfit said Borobabu was awarded capital punishment by the outfit after giving repeated warning. It may be mentioned that Borobabu was shot death in front of his wife and son by an armed assailant.

Meanwhile, JAC against the killing, today accepted dead body of Borobabu and performed last rite after Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had given assurance to fulfill their demand. The JAC has been demanding punishment of the culprits involved in the killing, adequate livelihood to the victim family beside compensation.

A large number people today staged a rally till JNIMS Morgue and brought the dead body to perform last rite at his locality. The deceased Borobabu was shot death by the armed assailant at his bed room in front of his wife Sandhyarani and son Devaraj. He is survived by his wife and three children including a daughter. A JAC formed against the killing had yesterday submitted memorandum to the chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh demanding punishment of the culprits involved in the killing. MLA E. Suraj and Reliance Mobile service provider agent W. Kemchand among others met the Chief Minister on Tuesday afternoon to submit the memorandum. Member of the JAC while speaking to media person question on the nature of freedom struggle that the armed group has been demanding. He said such killing is an act of terrorism and such act should not be repeated.

Meanwhile, Manipur DGP Y. Joykumar has said that all efforts are being made to arrest the culprits involved in the shooting of Oinam Borobobu. In a telephonic conversation with the ISTV News, Joykumar said a meeting for all district superintendents has been convened to strengthened security measures for controlling of the anti social crimes. He said police department has also taken up additional measures to protect the people and their properties. When asked about the deadline provided by an armed group to the non Manipuri, the police chief said the police force has been keeping vigils from before to counter any untoward incidents committed by anti social elements.

At another development a  sit in protest was staged today at Leimapokpam in protest against the bomb attack carried out at the residence of Oinam Angangjao aged 75 of Leimapokpam Awang leikai. The grenade exploded at the court yard and instantly killed one dog and damaged some portions of the roof and wall of the house. Meira paibees of Leimapokpam lambasted such violent acts in the crowded residential areas and sought clarification from the concerned party. A woman who took part in the protest expressed unhappiness over the incident and appealed not to repeat such intimidating act in future. She also maintained that due to the threats from some armed group doctors posted at Leimapokpam primary health centre could not attend for the last two months and have caused immense problems and inconveniences to the locality of the area and appealed to lift the threat imposed to the doctors in the interest of the locality.On the other hands women folk of Haobam Marak Marak Chingtham Leikai today staged a sit in protest against bomb threat to one RK Chitaranjan of the locality. Chitaranjan was around 50 years old and is serving as an inspector in the taxation department. The bomb was handed over by miscreants to a nieghbour by wrapping in an envelope at around 3.30 pm yesterday. Several placards decrying the bomb threat were used during the protest.

Separate Pungyar District Demanded; Threatens Serious Agitation if Govt. Fails To Fulfill Demand

(7.00 pm 5th April,2011)

Pungyar District demand committee threatened serious agitation if state cabinet fails to resolve Pungyar assembly constituency as a full-fledged administrative district by 15 of April this year.

A meeting of the district demand committee was held today at the residential quarter of Pungyar Assembly Constituency MLA Wungnaoshang Keising. Various social workers of the area including MLA Wungnoashang Keishing, member of the Ukhrul district autonomous council K. Josheph, President of the All Tribal Chiefs Association AS Shimreishang, President of the Southern Thangkhul Students’ Union, S. Jojo, vice president of Kuki Inpi Ukhrul district, T Alum, President of Sambulong kamjong Gideon Zimik and kasom Khullen Chairman K. Lovingson were present in today’s meeting. Justifying the demand of Pungyar region as full-fledged district, speakers during the meeting said Phungyar region cover an area of 2700 square kilometer with a population of around 62 thousands and the region has also been divided into four sub division as Phungyar, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahamphung. The Pungyar district demand committee had earlier submitted a memorandum regarding the demand to the Chief Minister of Manipur.

MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing who is also the convener of the district demand committee while speaking on the occasion said many people of Phungyar area have died without reaching Ukhrul district head quarter and it is the urgent need of the state to establish a full-fledged district for development of the people of the region. Wungnaoshang Keishing further appealed people of the area to cooperate with the demand.

Reliance Caretaker Shot Death in Front of Wife and Son

(9.00 pm April 5, 2011)

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a reliance tower caretaker in front of his wife and son at Wangkhei Wangkheimayum Leirak on Monday night. The deceased identified as Oinam Borobabu was sleeping at his bed when the armed assailant fired at his head at point blank in-front of his wife and 13 years old son. The gruesome incident happened at around 8.30 pm of Monday night.

According to reports, two gunmen came looking for the deceased Borobabu and his twin brother Sidhababu at around 8.pm last night. One among the two went at the house of Sidhababu and another entered at the house of Borobabu.

Both the twin brother work as care takers of Reliance tower and Airtel tower erected at their respective residences. The armed assailant who went to the house of Sidhababu snatch the key of the Airtel tower room while the one entered at the residence of Borobabu shot him dead in front of his wife Sandhyarani and son Deveraj who is around 13 years old. According to Sandhyarani the armed assailant entered at her house asking for her husband. When she said that her husband had gone to bed as he was not feeling well, the armed assailant straight away went towards her husband and shot him at his forehead at point blank. At the time Sandhyarani and her son was also standing in the same room. The assailants later fled the area after firing another round of gunshot in the air. The bullet riddled body of Borobabu was immediately rushed at JN Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The deceased Borobabu age about 37 was survived by his wife and three children including a daughter.

Earlier, before entering the houses, the two armed assailants reportedly entered at the club complex of Wangkheimayum Leirak Apunba Committee where five members of the club had been watching TV. The armed assailants allegedly took three mobile phones and a torch light from them and locked them inside the room before committing the gruesome crime. According to family member of the deceased the two armed persons had come earlier on the afternoon and threatened to shut down Airtel tower to Borobabu. This was told to his wife through mobile phone who happened to be at her parental home at the time.

It may be mentioned that during the last week of March the mobile tower erected at the residential complex of late Borobabu was fired upon by unidentified persons. On the following day a person called Yaiphaba Meitei of Information and Public relation Department of KCP claimed responsibility for the attacked.

Later, today morning, a public meeting was convened at Wangkhei and formed a Joint Action Committee against the gruesome killing. The meeting resolved to urge government to punish the culprit within three days period besides providing a livelihood for the children and wife of the deceased. A memorandum in the regard was submitted to the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Reliance company’s agent of Manipur, Khemchand while speaking at the public meeting said the incident was not the first of its kind. Earlier a caretaker of private mobile tower was shot dead by armed assailants at Bishnupur district besides many similar incident of attacking the mobile towers. He said the mobile service providers tower in Manipur will be shut down totally in protest against such mindless attack and killing.

tension erupts at Samusag after minor scufle between two individuals

(10.30 pm, 4/4'11, Imphal)

Tension erupted at Naoremthong Samushang area under Lamphel police station after a family members allegedly threaten to shoot another family member over minor scuffle.

According to reports available with the ISTV news, a person identified as one Tayenjam Subash aged about 40 years of Samusang Uku Sana Leirak along with his wife another three unidentified person came to the house one Maibam Prasanta of the same locality at around 1 pm today evening.

Later, Subash’s wife allegedly called out for Prasanta at which Prasanta’s wife happened to encounter them. There were heated arguments between them over the whereabouts of Prasanta at which Prasanta who was sleeping inside the house happened to heard and came out. He was allegedly tried to pull away by Subash and his party by pointing a gun at his head. However, Prasanta’s wife continued to shout for help, locals of the area rushed the site and Subash along with his group fled the area. Speaking to ISTV news, wife of Prasanta said there was a minor verbal scuffle between the son of Subash and Prasanta over speeding of motor vehicles. When ISTV team reached the spot hundreds of people of Samusang Uku Sana leikai were seen storming towards the residence of Subash.

A team of Lamphel police led by its Officer in charge Ingocha also arrived in the spot and brought the situation under his control. Later, when the mob along with Lamphel Police OC went to the house of Basanta but could not found them as they seems to have fled after locking their house.

Lamphel OC later broke the lock and found seven cartiges of barrel rifle from inside the house and police uniformed.

 At the time of filing this story, there were no reports of any arrest made in connection with the crime.

CM Directs Court of Enquiry over Saturday night incident at Thoubal

(10.30 pm,4/4/'11, Imphal)

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has directed Assam Rifles authority to institute a court of enquiry over the incident of Saturday night at which an aged lady was killed after she was hit by a projectile allegedly fired upon by personnel of Assam Rifles while celebrating the India’s victory in World Cup Cricket.

According to a released issued by Principal private secretary of Chief Minister, A Gopal Singh, - O ibobi today convened a meeting with the member of the JAC formed against the dead of the aged Lady at his office bungalow to solve the issues arisen out of the incident. IG AR South and Manipur DGP were also reportedly present during the meeting. After hearing the demands of the JAC, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi reportedly directed the Assam Rifles Authority to constitute a court of enquiry and punish the culprits involved in the mindless firing.

The Chief Minister also directed the security forces not to let such accident happened in future. It may be recalled that Waikhom Ongbi Mani aged about 70 years was killed after a projectile landed at the roof hit her shoulder while she was sleeping at her bed. The locals said the projected was a stray bullet brush by the 15 AR personnel at its Tomjing post of Thoubal while celebrating the victory of Indian team in cricket world cup.

In a press clarification made by the Assam Rifles it is stated that an accidental brush firing was occurred on the night of Saturday while conducting a routine change of guard at 15 AR post at Thoubal. The released further said the house of the deceased was about 800 meter from the AR post and possibility of the accidental discharge by the weapon and causing the death of the aged lady is being investigated into. It said full cooperation and assistance is being extended by the AR post to the family of the deceased, police and local people to investigate into the matter.

 Later, after an agreement has been reached between the Chief Minister and the JAC, body of Mani Devi was accepted to perform last rite today.

President Patil Wishes People on 'Cheiroaba'

(9.pm (3/4'11) Imphal)

The President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil has extended the greetings to all the Manipuri communities on the occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba Festival being celebrated tomorrow.

In her message released from Rashtrapati Bhavan here today on the occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba which shall be celebrated tomorrow, Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil said: "On the joyous occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I convey my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. May these festivals bring prosperity, peace and happiness and also promote a spirit of oneness and harmony".

Governor Gurbachand Jagat, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Congress President G. Gaikhangam and MP Dr. Meinya among others greet the people people of Manipur on occasion of the Sajibu Cheiraoba. Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup and other organizations, individuals also greet the people on occasion of the Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba.

Meanwhile, traditional religious body today distributed holy water to the people of the state to bring prosperity and happiness in the state.

Works Minister Assures Strenthening of Judiciary in the State

(9 pm (3/4/'11) Imphal)

Works Minister K. Ranjit today assured to complete all infrastructures construction works of law courts in the state to strengthen judiciary in the state.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the newly constructed office building of the All Manipur Bar Association at Chierap Court complexes K. Ranjit said the construction works at Lamphel Court complexes with an estimated cost of rupees 2.5 crores will be completed before 15^th of April. The office building was constructed with an estimated cost of rupees 56 lakhs.

The works minister further said that works for the construction of separate high court is progressing even though it has to stop for sometimes in midway. The works Minister said this underlining the importance of strengthening the judiciary in the state. He said in a state like Manipur Judiciary needs to be strengthened as crimes which do not happened in other country happened here. And for that developing of court infrastructures is a much, he added.

The inaugural function was also attended by Health Minister L. Jyantakumar, President of All Manipur Bar Association S. Brajabihari, Advocate general Koteshore, Justice Binoykumar and Justice Ashok Potsangbam as dignitaries. General Secretary of All Manipur Bar Association said the newly constructed building of the Bar Association was laid foundation on February 19 2010. He expressed his gratitude to the SPF government for fulfilling the dream of the Bar Association. Health Minister L. Jayantakumar who also spoke on the occasion lauded the role of the state lawyers. Being a person, who began careers from the profession stress on the needs for strengthening the judiciary system for strengthening of democracy in the country.

Celebration for India’s victory in World Cup Cricket turns bloody in Manipur; stray bullet kills woman in Thoubal district

(9.00 pm 3/4/2011, Imphal)

Celebration for India’s victory in World cup on Saturday night turn bloody in Manipur after a woman was killed by a stray bullet at Thoubal district. The projectile which landed on the woman was allegedly fired upon by personnel of 15^{th Assam Rifle post at Thoubal Tomching to celebrate India’s victory in the final World cup cricket match on Saturday. The incident allegedly happened on the previous midnight and the woman was at her bed when the projectile hit her. The deceased lady has been identified as Yaikhom Ongbi Mani Devi of Thoubal Nongmaikhong. She is about 70 years old. Speaking to ISTV News locals said after India won the final match on Saturday night Assam Rifles soldiers, who joined the massive celebrations, fired many rounds after which the seventy year old woman died. Several other stray bullets also landed at many houses Thoubal Nongmaikhong area. Police have begun a probe to ascertain the incident's veracity. Camp Commander of the 15th Assam Riffles Post of Thoubal Tomching also took stock of the situation today morning. The woman's body has been deposited at RIMS morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, locals of the area today convened a public meeting in protest against the death of the woman. The meeting resolved to urged government authority for shifting of the Assam Riffles post from the area besides demanding a judicial probe into the incident. They also resolved not to accept the dead body if the demands were not fulfilled by the authority. A sit-in-protest was also staged at Thoubal Bazaar.}