NWMI vows to highlight NE issues

Imphal, Mar 7: The visiting journalists who have come here to take part in the annual conference of Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) vowed to create a strong network with their colleagues of North East to highlight the plights of the region to the rest of the country. A statement sent out by the Network said, “We aware that the people of the North East, specially the women, have laid in a conflict situation for more than six decades, but the reality of what they faced has not impinged on the consciousness of the rest of India.”The Network also expressed privilege to be present when Irom Chanu Sharmila was released from the security ward of JN Hospital today. Appreciating the role of Meira Paibis, the Network said, “We were also inspired to meet the Meira Paibis, the women who have been on a relay hunger strike for 88th day in support of Sharmila.”The Network also expressed concern over the long standing recourse to AFSPA in a situation that requires serious and sustained political, economic and social initiatives in partnership with local communities.Along with the media colleagues of the North East, the network would like to consider to bring about a quality and in-depth coverage on the issues of the region so that the rest of India understands the ground realities, the statement added. The Network further said that at the same time when terror threats and conflicts are increasing in other parts of the country, the visiting journalists have much to learn from North East journalists.

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.