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Saturday, January 10, 2009

3 killed, 7 injured in Assam blast

Guwahati, Jan 9 (PTI) Terror revisited the city today as three persons were killed and seven injured, some critically, when a powerful bomb planted by suspected ULFA militants went off at a busy market in this city's Maligaon area today. Police said the bomb planted in a bicycle and left behind two parked cars near the railway shuttle gate market exploded at 6.30 pm killing three persons and injuring seven.
The two cars were completely damaged under the impact of the blast, which took place just 100 m away from the headquarters of the North East Frontier Railway. Today's blast comes close on the heels of the killing of Pranjal Deka, prime accused in the New Year's day blasts, in a shootout with police and army yesterday.
State police chief G M Srivastava said the modus operandi of the explosion was similar to the January 1 serial blasts in which five persons were killed and over 50 others injured. Meanwhile, another accused in the blasts Nabajyoti Sarma and a close accomplice of Deka surrendered to the police today.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Thai trade info centre coming up at Imphal

IMPHAL, Jan 9: With the objective of fostering better trade relations between Manipur and South Asian countries, the Thailand Government is setting up Thai Trade Information Centre and Tourism Information Centre at Imphal in March this year.A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the trade information centre at Imphal would be opened by the New Delhi based Royal Thai Embassy in response to the Government of India’s Look East Policy. Councillor Commercial of Royal Thai Embassy Tharadol Thongraung would be visiting Imphal soon to inspect the site for the Thai Trade Information Centre and Tourism Information Centre.He would personally open the trade information centre at Imphal.The centre which would be run under the aegis of the North East Federation of International Trade would provide information about mercantile activities of Thailand as well as information on Thailand tourism besides displaying certain products of that country.Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has expressed intention to launch helicopter service between Imphal and Moreh in a bid to boost the bilateral trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh. For this, the helicopter which may be put into service would have the capacity to carry two tonnes of goods and 20 passengers. For the Imphal-Moreh helicopter service, mobile helipads may also be used, conveyed the source.In a step to launch the service which may be later known as Ultra Light Helicopter Service, head of Political, Development and Trade of Czech Embassy at New Delhi Jan Kreuerter visited Imphal last month.He also talked with the Chief Minister during his visit.However, the Czech Republic is looking for a local partner to run the Imphal-Moreh helicopter service.For similar helicopter services in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, necessary preparatory works have been completed.On the other hand, the list of items sanctioned for trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh has been increased to 40 from the previous 22 items by adding 18 more items. The newly added items of trade include utensils of stainless steel, cotton clothes, jewellery, sugar, common salt, spices, bicycle parts, X-ray photo papers etc.In order to facilitate smooth trade interaction between Indian and Myanmarese authorities, cable laying work for a hotline between Moreh UBI branch and the planned Myanmar Economic Bank at Tamu is under progress, added the source.

KYKL’s cell busted in Shillong

Shillong, Jan 9: The proscribed Manipur based Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL)’s finance wing operations from Shillong were busted by the Meghalaya police arresting five activists of the outfit on Thursday night in Shillong. The police here said that acting on specific information about the proscribed outfit’s operations from a rented house in Shillong, the special cell of the Meghalaya police conducted a swoop and arrested five KYKL cadres who have been identified as N Romen, H Bijan Dinku Singh , Habjan Maipakpi and Chanchan Binobala from Bishenpur district of Manipur and Thokchom Ibomcha Singh from Imphal West. From their possession, incriminating documents, a computer and Rs 50,000 in cash were recovered, according to Meghalaya police.Informing about the arrest, the Superintendent of Police East Khasi Hills AR Mawthoh said that the five are members of the KYKL’s finance wing and they have been operating from the rented house located in Malki in Shillong for the past five months. Revealing the disclosure made by the arrested members of the proscribed outfit, the police said “It is evident from the interrogation and documents recovered that those served with an extortion note come to pay or negotiate with the arrested people in Shillong.” Although pointers showed that Shillong is a collection centre, they did not rule out the possibility of even extortion notes being sent from the Meghalaya capital to Manipur.The five arrested militants have been booked under section 120b/121/384 of the Indian Penal Code and under sector R/W 10/13 of the unlawful activities preventive act. While the police considered the operations as another breakthrough, the attempts by Manipur based militants to use Shillong as a place for financial transaction once again came into the fore, said the Meghalaya police. In 2006,the United National Liberation Front (UNLF)’s finance wing operating from Shillong was busted by the Meghalaya police by arresting five of the outfit’s finance wing functionaries. Like the confession of the arrested KYKL, the UNLF then used this place to serve extortion notices in Manipur and asked them to pay in Shillong while courier services and night super buses are used as medium to send the money to the outfit’s leadership, added the police.

Start of the five day long Chakan Gan-Ngai festival


IMPHAL, Jan 9 : Gaan-Ngai, the grandest post- harvest festival of the Kabui community commenced at various places within and outside the State from today.Kabuis of Manipur as well as the Rongmei group of the Zeliangrong tribe scattered in Assam and Nagaland States celebrate Gaan-Ngai to thank the Almighty for the bountiful blessing of food crops.The State level celebration held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound began with the traditional ritual of offering indigenous brew to the ‘Tingkao Ragwang’ deity, chanting in praise of the almighty, fire jumping, extraction of fire in the traditional manner as well as presentation of cultural items including dance and song.The festival will be celebrated for five days.The Palace Compound celebration was formally inaugurated by the Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat and Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei as the chief guest and president respectively with the former also lighting the celebration lamp from traditionally extracted fire.Dwelling on varied aspects and ethos of the Gaan-Ngai festival, the chief guest said partaking in the celebration would pave the way for shedding parochial attitude amongst the people and shield the society from destructive forces as such an event provides common platform for all community to share love and warmth.
more at sangai express

1300 more SPOs from Four Valley Districts of Manipur



IMPHAL, Jan 8 : After Heirok, the Union Home Ministry has approved recruitment of more than 1300 Special Police Officers (SPOs) for deployment in the four valley districts of Manipur. An official source informed The Sangai Express that the Home Ministry sanctioned recruitment of SPOs from Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East and Imphal West districts for self-defence of the people. Subsequent upon the Home Ministry’s approval, the State Government has handed over the task of SPO recruitment to the State DGP. The State Cabinet has already decided to set up SPOs in interior areas where security forces could not reach effectively as well as in areas where the people asked for SPOs. There may be some differences in the functions of SPOs who would be recruited newly from those of Heirok SPOs. Unlike SPOs of Heirok, the SPOs who would be set up in all the four districts would be allowed deployment outside their localities, disclosed the sourceOn the other hand, Heirok SPOs who are currently housed at the 3rd IRB post at Heirok after completing training at Manipur Police Training School at Pangei would be inducted into service soon. They would be given duty of joint patrolling with IRB personnel. One police officer further informed that discussions are being made for construction of SPO barracks at the earliest. At present, the SPOs sleep at their homes even though they come to the IRB post to attend roll call and practise drill in the morning, the source added.

Gaan-Ngai warm wishes

On the occasion of Gaan-Ngai festival, the Zeliangrong Union (ZU) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have conveyed warm greetings to all the people of North East and particularly to the Zeliangrong community. In a joint press release, the ZU and the ZYF wished that the festival may usher in peace, joy and reconciliation among all the people irrespective of caste, creed and colour. The Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) also extended best wishes on the occasion of Gaan-Ngai festival. In its message, the MSF prayed that the festival may shed a new light on the collective wisdom of the people so that thoughts for a peaceful, prosperous and egalitarian Manipur spring in the minds of all the people.

Manipur likely to face fuel shortage

IMPHAL, Jan 8 :With the Oil Depot located at Chingmei-rong not releasing fuel oils to oil pumps since yesterday following the country-wide strike of the Oil Sector Officers’ Association,the State is likely to face shortage of fuel oils within two/three days.With the officials of the Chingmeirong Oil Depot supporting the ongoing strike of the Oil Sector Officers’ Asso- ciation, all activities at the depot have been suspended since 6 am yesterday. The nationwide strike was launched demanding increment in salaries of oil sector employees. Consequent upon the strike, 29 petrol tankers, 70 diesel tankers and 25 SK Oil tankers have been parking at Chingmeirong Oil Depot since yesterday morning unable to off-load the fuel oils. Incidentally, fuel oils are brought to the depot from refineries located outside the State only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in a week. But with the depot officials abstaining from their duty, indents have not been issued to the oil tankers. As such, tankers are unable to go for fuel transport. As the quantum and frequency of fuel import are lower in Manipur than other States, the country-wide strike is likely to produce more serious repercussions in Manipur.Fuel oils available in oil pumps till today were issued by the oil depot on last Tuesday. As such, most of the oil pumps will run dry within a day or two.Although, fuel oils are not issued to private and Government oil pumps, para-military forces, CRPF and other security forces will be allowed to draw fuel oils from the oil depot tomorrow, informed an official source.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Bird flu like illness haunts CCpur village


It is E Coli; Not the flu !
Jan 7: Barely forty-eight hours after an epidemic like mysterious infection identified as ‘highly infectious with cerebral infection’ hit a tiny hamlet in the district, the conference hall of the Chief Medical Officer which was temporarily transformed to isolate the infected is now packed with patients as the number keeps mounting.Thirty eight people, including children, all hailing from Misao Lhahvom village were admitted at the District Hospital here since Saturday night for the yet to be diagnosed infection.Initially the disease which took an epidemic form was initially suspected to be that of Malaria but Optimal Test – a test for Malaria, conducted on the sixteen patients initially who rushed to the Hospital on Monday night hs turned out to be negative. Following the discovery of fowls dying in tens and on sighting ailing ones in the village the much hyped ‘Bird Flu’ was suspected but Medical officials and Veterinary Doctors have failed to find any link with the flu.Dr Singkhozam Hauzel, Chief Medical Officer said that of the three symptoms identified with Bird Flu, Fever and Cough were detected on the villagers but the most significant of all – breathing disorder is missing. His contention was backed by Dr Saidokum Pudaite, Jt Director of the district Veterinary Department who said, ‘We did not find any Bird Flu symptoms on the dead fowls,’ moments after collecting carcasses and blood samples from the village yesterday.Dr Bhubon Singh, State Epidemiologist who was in town today to take stock of the situation told The Sangai Express that he was certain the ‘viral’ infection was not Bird Flu but something else.Dr Ginzaniang, a Physician who was first summon- ed to attend the mysterious illness said the patients suffered acute fever, cough and nausea when they were brought to the District Hospital. She also claimed that most of the patients till date are recuperating with the administration of antibiotics and ruled out any casualty.With eighteen more villagers infected by the mysterious illness till Tuesday, the district administra- tion on the advice of the medical officials and civil societies such as ZYA, KKL, CDSU and ZHRF, ordered an isolation. At the end of the day the ailing villagers on isolation reached a whooping thirty four. Five more villagers were brought to the hospital today added to the num- ber of patients attended in isolation bringing number of patients of the yet to be diagnosed disease to thirty nine.Seipao Misao, a village elder said his villagers suffered mass illness not long after the Church youth hosted a public feast on Monday after a day long sporting events.One thing that made the medical fraternity here anxious was the strange symp- toms that were experienced by the patients and the alleged infectious nature. ‘Our first impression was that it was highly infectious in nature and that it affects the brain, which is probably the first of its kind in the State,’ Dr VC Pau said, adding, ‘we ourselves are not immune, so it needs to be immediately identified.’Three doctors who have been advised to attend to the patients in isolation said the illness seems to be infectious if not contagious. As was the contention, all medical staff attending the patients ever since their isolation put on gloves and face mask as a preventive measure, however the attendants were not provided any ‘protective gears.’Blood samples from all the patients were collected today for further investigation by the State epidemiologist. One suspected source of such a mass scale illness according to medics could be the drinking water, but here too medics said the symptoms would include diarrhea in the case, and the same was missing in this case.It is worth mentioning that a fowl gifted to a woman by her paternal parents from Sugnu after undergoing operation at Imphal sometime last year died of an unknown disease on Monday night. A handful of reporters tried their bit to locate the fowl that was thrown into the woods early on Tuesday by its owner but it did not yield any fruit. Sixty-five-year-old Ngainem of Misao Lhah-vom told reporters on Tues- day that she lost more than ten fowls since Saturday – six on Saturday, and four on Monday. The ageing wo-man was attending to two of her still ailing fowls when the team reached there yesterday. One dose of Tetracycline administered with a tea spoon failed to do the rescue act and gave the media the chance to film the last moments before it passed away. The other however recuperated with the administration of the medicine.There are reports of some patients being discharged later today, but the one impression that is in mind remains, ‘what would be the fate of the villagers even if they went back – spending time on the same old locality with the same daily chores eating and drinking from the same source. Would they return ill, to the same isolation ward in a few days or not, remains to be seen until that time the State medical officials diagnose the cause of the strange illness.’

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Manipur top in NE, one of the top in India as google search user

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jan 5: How high is internet and computer literacy in Manipur? This is a question anybody in any of the advanced metropolises of the country would probably be wondering with a measure of scepticism.

Let them think again. Google search`s insight team has come out with a detailed worldwide survey on which region of the world, as well as which states or provinces in individual countries uses google search the most.

Be ready to be surprised. Within India, Manipur ranks as one of the top users of google search engines.

To see it for yourself, check this out at the following web link:

http://www.google.com/insights/search/

Of the north-eastern states only Manipur and Assam figure in the list of states with significant use of the search engine. Between the two, Manipur is way ahead of Assam.

The search topic also tell a story.

Web searchers in Manipur most look for the words "India", "Pay Commission" and "News" etc. They also look for words like "ndtv" and "youtube".

Searchers here are also not self absorbed as in the case of so many other states, and do not look words like "Imphal" or "Manipur" etc. Is this a show of self confidence?

The other north-eastern state to figure in the list of significant users of the google search engine, Assam on the contrary is a lot more self absorbed. The top searches from this state are "India", "google", "Guwahati". They also look for words like "orkut" and "Assam".

Manipur ranks better than even West Bengal. However Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh etc do marginally better than Manipur. The search topic here are also significantly different.

The words most searched for from these states are in the nature of "download", "songs", "video" etc. From Maharashtra, the word "India" does not even figure.

While it would be hasty to draw conclusion, it would definitely be a point for the policy makers in the state to do a closer study of the phenomenon. After all this is a very neutral portrayal of the things that an educated, intelligent and most probably young section of our population, are curious about if not aspire for.

Night landing facilities...

IMPHAL, Jan 5: Although installation work of Solar Power Obstructing Light (SPOL) on hill tops to enable night landing of aircrafts at Imphal airport is nearing completion, installation work atop Baruni hills is only in its initial stages. Installation work of SOPLs were taken up atop Baruni hills, Heibok hills, Chingphu hills and Phunal Maring hills since one year back under a package announced by the Prime Minister to facilitate night landing at Tulihal Airport. Except for Baruni hills, installation work of SOPLs in the other hill tops are nearing completion.Although installation work had been started at Baruni hills too, the Transport Department sent a proposal to the Planning Department for the next phase of fund only recently. As such, installation work here will take a longer time than the others.Out of Rs 19,55,65000 required for the installation work at Baruni hills, Planning Department released Rs 5,38,92000, informed an official source from the Transport Department.The total sanctioned amount includes Rs 8.29 crores for Works Department, Rs 5.83 crores for the Police Housing Corporation, Rs 1.53 crores for MANIREDA, Rs 3.55 crores for Forest Department towards multipurpose afforestation and Rs 35.65 lakhs as net present value.Out to the amount of Rs 5,38,92000 released by the Planning Department, Works Department should get Rs 3 crores, Police Housing Corporation Rs 2 crores and MANIREDA Rs 38.27 lakhs.So far, road cutting work till Khalong hill top has been completed from the released amount but WBM work is pending. At present, preliminary work for making drainage from Mahadeva site to Khalong is under process.As the spot fixed earlier for installation of SPOL tower would affect the Khalong sacred site, site preparation work is going on at a spot a shot distance below by increasing height of the tower a little. With a larger portion of the installation work yet to be executed, the Transport Department sent the proposal for prompt release of the remaining amount to the Planning Department so that the remaining work can be initiated at the earliest, conveyed the official source. The installation work can be completed latest by March, claimed the source.The completed work would be inspected by officials of the Airport Authority of India. Once they certify the towers, test run of aircraft for night landing at Imphal airport will be conducted, added the source.
SangaiExpress

Mumbai evidence handed over to Pak : Pranab

NEW DELHI, Jan 5: India today handed over to Pakistan evidence about involvement of elements based in that country in the Mumbai terror attacks and asked Islamabad to implement its commitments.Stepping up the diplomatic offensive, foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he has written to his counterparts around the world and that countries are being briefed separately giving details of the Mumbai attacks and its links in Pakistan.“We have today handed over to Pakistan evidence of the links with elements in Pakistan of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008,” Mukherjee told reporters here. Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik was summoned by Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon to hand over the material. Pakistan confirmed it has received evidence regarding Mumbai terror attacks from India, and “concerned authorities” were “examining the material,” IANS reported.“The material has been received in Pakistan now and is being examined by concerned authorities,” said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq. Describing the Mumbai attacks as “unpardonable crime,” Mukherjee asked Pakistan to implement the bilateral commitments it has made at the highest levels to India and practice its international obligations. The evidence includes confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist held during Mumbai terror strikes, records of GPS and satellite phones used by the attackers and transcript of conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan. It also includes details about weapons and other articles recovered.“This material is linked to elements in Pakistan. It is our expectation that the Government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.“We are also briefing all our friendly countries,” the Minister said. “I have written to my counterparts around the world giving them details of the events in Mumbai and describing in some detail the progress that we have made in our investigations and the evidence that we have collected,” Mukherjee said. The External Affairs Ministry will also be briefing all heads of missions based here by tomorrow. Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners will be doing the same in their host countries, he said. “It is my hope that the world will unite to achieve the goal of eliminating the threat of such terrorism,” Mukherjee said. India hoped that Pakistan will implement its “bilateral, multilateral and international obligations to prevent terrorism in any manner from territory under its control.” PTI

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Crowd attempts to storm Police Station


IMPHAL, Jan 3: Even as three persons have been pulled up and questioned in connection with the murder of Md Wahidur alias Naocha, a large crowd of people attempted to storm Irilbung police station demanding arrest of the murderers. However, the police pushed back and dispersed the crowd firing tear gas shells.In connection with the murder of the 15 year old boy, a public meeting was held at Keirao Litan Makhong this morning. At about 10 am, a large number of people belonging to Keirao Litan Makhong, Urup and Keirao Bitra took out a protest rally towards Irilbung police station.As they converged at Irilbung police station demanding justice, police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. As Deputy Speaker Shyamkumar passed through the road at that moment, the matter was discussed jointly with JAC representatives and police officers in Irilbung PS complex.However, the crowd squatted on the road blocked traffic in front of Irilbung PS protesting against the brutal murder.The visibly agitated crowd only turned back only when they were assured that the murderers will be booked within 24 hours. Mother of late Wahidur and another woman who broke down in the course of the protest movement were taken to hospital by police. In connection with the murder, Irilbung police picked up three individuals and questioned. But they were released later.

One laptop per child scheme


IMPHAL, Jan 3: To do away with daily cumbersome activities of carrying books to school in a bag by children, plans are afoot for introduction of the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Scheme in the State through which every school going child would be able to carry just one solar power generated laptop to the school.Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source said that the School Education Department of the State Government has already discussed introduction of the OLPC Scheme for the first time in Manipur from the next academic session at the primary level. A decision of the State Cabinet in this connection is only being awaited to go ahead with the plan.To be taken up initially as a pilot project, there is also plan for expanding the scheme to all over the State in due course of time, the source said, while pointing out that the scheme has already been implemented successfully in States like Maharashtra, Karnataka and UP.With the help of the solar power generated laptop manufactured by a Taiwanese company, students can download their lessons/books and learnt them instead of carrying the books along with them to school in a bag. Moreover, the size and weight of these laptops would be halved of the typical laptops being used by the people.The life span of the battery used in these solar powered laptop is five years and only one watt of energy is required to run them apart from the quality of being water, dust and fire resistant. These new laptop models are also not breakable and have already in- built wi-fi gadget for inter-net connectivity and net- working without the need of a common server.Among the countries of the world, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Scheme has successfully implemented in Uruguay, Peru, Aghanis-tan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Haiti, Mongolia, Rawanda.

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