The strike by the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union
(AMPTDU) was called off following release of the kidnapped driver even
as a student union sponsored blockade on two national highways continued
today.
Driver Surajit Singh, abducted by militants from Khujuma area in
Nagaland while he was bringing petrol along with others to Imphal on
April 22, was set free by its abductors last evening, a spokesman of
AMPTDU told reporters this morning.
Drivers would start plying petrol tankers along with security
personnel from today, he said. Official sources said petrol pumps are
closed since April 22 last and petrol was selling at Rs 110 per litre.
Singh was kidnapped by a militant organisation, which collected
Rs 8000 to Rs 10000 per year from each oil tanker, when his employer did
not pay the amount in time.
Meanwhile, Zeliangrong Students Union (ZSU) have been continuing
its blockade on two national highways Imphal Jiribam Silchar and Imphal
Dimapur Guwahati since April 21 last demanding release of a girl student
identified as Alice Kamei by an insurgent outfit Revolutionary People's
Front (RPF).
RPF had earlier said that Alice had joined the organisation on
her own. Official sources said transport services between Manipur and
neighbouring states remained suspended for the past few days because of
the blockade.
The government was considering to provide security to vehicles
but a decision was yet to be taken. Prices of essential and other items
brought to the state from other states had skyrocketed because of the
blockade, the sources said.
Manipur youth take up mushroom cultivation
Imphal, Apr. 24 : The youth of Manipur, who are keen to become
financially independent, have found that mushroom cultivation can help
them generate income not just for themselves but also for others.
Ningobam Ningthemjao Singh, an agriculture graduate, who runs "Hee Yai Mushroom Farm" in Manipur's Imphal East District started mushroom cultivation in the courtyard of a hut along with sister N Pramoda Devi in 1995. Over a period of time he has expanded the business.
N. Tomcha Singh, a mushroom farmer, said it is very profitable.
"Mushroom cultivation will be good for state's economy because we don't have to go outside to get materials. All the materials are available here so introduction of mushroom cultivation will help employment and income generation," he said.
Today his annual earnings are more than Rs 3.5 lakhs and he employs 8 people. Different species of mushrooms, including Oyster, Shiitake, Maitake and Lion's Mane are sold in the local market and in other parts of the state.
Bala Devi, a labour here, said that the demand for mushroom is growing, and added that the production has gone up."We are doing very well," she added.
Earnings from the farm help me meet my expenses. Now, I can look after my family," added another labour Nganbi Devi.
Ningobam Singh provides an example worthy of emulation for youth of the region.
Ningobam Ningthemjao Singh, an agriculture graduate, who runs "Hee Yai Mushroom Farm" in Manipur's Imphal East District started mushroom cultivation in the courtyard of a hut along with sister N Pramoda Devi in 1995. Over a period of time he has expanded the business.
N. Tomcha Singh, a mushroom farmer, said it is very profitable.
"Mushroom cultivation will be good for state's economy because we don't have to go outside to get materials. All the materials are available here so introduction of mushroom cultivation will help employment and income generation," he said.
Today his annual earnings are more than Rs 3.5 lakhs and he employs 8 people. Different species of mushrooms, including Oyster, Shiitake, Maitake and Lion's Mane are sold in the local market and in other parts of the state.
Bala Devi, a labour here, said that the demand for mushroom is growing, and added that the production has gone up."We are doing very well," she added.
Earnings from the farm help me meet my expenses. Now, I can look after my family," added another labour Nganbi Devi.
Ningobam Singh provides an example worthy of emulation for youth of the region.
Rebels attack two convoys in Manipur
IMPHAL: In two separate attacks by rebels on Sunday, one Manipur Rifles (MR) personnel was killed and 10 others, including three government engineers, were injured near Moreh, while seven people, including two CRPF jawans, sustained splinter injuries at Sekmai in Imphal West.
A team of Manipur Public Works Department (PWD) engineers escorted by 8MR personnel was going from Moreh to Imphal in separate vehicles when they were attacked by militants near Kwatha Lamkhai along National Highway 2 about 15km from the border town around 8:30am.
The rebels exploded three IEDs before raining bullets at the team, killing an MR personnel and injuring 10, including three engineers, two others and five MR personnel, police sources said. Police said that there was an exchange of fire.
Rifleman Sachin (30) died on the spot, sources said, adding that the injured, including superintending engineer Manglemjao, were rushed to a Moreh hospital before they were referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Shija Hospital in Imphal.
Minutes after the incident, additional forces, including Assam Rifles soldiers and police commandos stationed at Moreh, rushed to the spot and carried out a combing operation, though no one was pulled up.
The engineers were on a trip to Kwatha area in Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border for road construction work.
Meanwhile, a CRPF convoy came under an IED attack near Sekmai Bazaar about 16km from Imphal around 11:00am. Seven people, including two jawans and five civilians, received minor splinter injuries.
Police said the paramilitary force's convoy was heading for Dimapur from Imphal when the IED, fitted on a stationary truck, exploded. The injured were given first aid at a nearby government health centre.
Underground groups that are fighting to restore Manipur's past sovereignty have been launching bomb attacks on security forces frequently in various parts of the state including Imphal since September last year.
A team of Manipur Public Works Department (PWD) engineers escorted by 8MR personnel was going from Moreh to Imphal in separate vehicles when they were attacked by militants near Kwatha Lamkhai along National Highway 2 about 15km from the border town around 8:30am.
The rebels exploded three IEDs before raining bullets at the team, killing an MR personnel and injuring 10, including three engineers, two others and five MR personnel, police sources said. Police said that there was an exchange of fire.
Rifleman Sachin (30) died on the spot, sources said, adding that the injured, including superintending engineer Manglemjao, were rushed to a Moreh hospital before they were referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Shija Hospital in Imphal.
Minutes after the incident, additional forces, including Assam Rifles soldiers and police commandos stationed at Moreh, rushed to the spot and carried out a combing operation, though no one was pulled up.
The engineers were on a trip to Kwatha area in Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border for road construction work.
Meanwhile, a CRPF convoy came under an IED attack near Sekmai Bazaar about 16km from Imphal around 11:00am. Seven people, including two jawans and five civilians, received minor splinter injuries.
Police said the paramilitary force's convoy was heading for Dimapur from Imphal when the IED, fitted on a stationary truck, exploded. The injured were given first aid at a nearby government health centre.
Underground groups that are fighting to restore Manipur's past sovereignty have been launching bomb attacks on security forces frequently in various parts of the state including Imphal since September last year.
Truck driver killed near Imphal
The driver of a goods truck travelling on the Imphal-Jiribam road was
shot dead on Wednesday by unknown persons. Two trucks, including the
one belonging to the deceased, were set afire at an isolated spot
between Charoi Pandong and K Senam villages on National Highway 37 in
Senapati district in Manipur. While the police is still investigating
the matter, they have not ruled out the possibility that the attack was
carried out by armed cadre of the NSCN-IM.
Meanwhile, a 48-hour general strike was called in Manipur to protest the death of the driver, 40-year-old Asem Babu. Babu's truck was transporting cement to Imphal when it was attacked.
While a number of trucks were transporting goods at the time, and were accompanied by security, the two trucks in question developed technical problems and had stopped for repairs when they were ambushed. A gang of uniformed persons in a Maruti 800 and a Maruti van allegedly opened fire indiscriminately at the vehicles. Babu was hit by a barrage of bullets on both legs.
The handyman in Babu's truck managed to flee the spot. The drivers of the second truck also managed escape the armed cadres.
The spot where the incident took place is about 45 km from Imphal. The body of the deceased and the burning trucks were reportedly discovered by personnel of the Assam Rifles and the CRPF who had been patrolling the area soon after the incident took place. A case has been registered at Sapermeina police station.
Meanwhile, a 48-hour general strike was called in Manipur to protest the death of the driver, 40-year-old Asem Babu. Babu's truck was transporting cement to Imphal when it was attacked.
While a number of trucks were transporting goods at the time, and were accompanied by security, the two trucks in question developed technical problems and had stopped for repairs when they were ambushed. A gang of uniformed persons in a Maruti 800 and a Maruti van allegedly opened fire indiscriminately at the vehicles. Babu was hit by a barrage of bullets on both legs.
The handyman in Babu's truck managed to flee the spot. The drivers of the second truck also managed escape the armed cadres.
The spot where the incident took place is about 45 km from Imphal. The body of the deceased and the burning trucks were reportedly discovered by personnel of the Assam Rifles and the CRPF who had been patrolling the area soon after the incident took place. A case has been registered at Sapermeina police station.
Manipur govt orders probe into Muslim youth's killing
IMPHAL: The Manipur government has ordered a probe into the recent lynching of a Muslim youth and the subsequent torching of a house by a mob at Yairipok in Thoubal district.
Md Sana (24) of Phoudel village in Yairipok was lynched by a mob on the night of April 12 for allegedly having an illicit relationship with a woman. The house of one Kh Kunjeshore was also torched by the mob.
Rubbishing the charge, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) set up against Sana's killing demanded that the government arrest the culprits and punish them accordingly.
On Thursday, Manipur principal secretary (home) issued an order for a police probe to establish the facts and circumstances of the violent incident, official sources said, adding that an IGP will head the inquiry. Reports of the investigation would be submitted to the government within a month, sources added.
With the issuance of the government order, the JAC called off the 48-hour general strike it had enforced from Wednesday evening. This followed a meeting with the JAC leaders and chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh at the latter's office. Sana's body, which was lying unclaimed in the mortuary of the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), was taken by the JAC and the bereaved family on Friday afternoon for his last rites.
Meanwhile, movement of vehicles along the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar highways and other inter-district routes was severely affected on Friday owing to a 24-hour 'chakka' bandh called by the All Manipur Road Transport, Drivers and Motor Workers' Union from Thursday midnight.
The bandh was called to protest against the gunning down of a truck driver and torching of two loaded trucks by suspected rebels along the Imphal-Silchar route on Wednesday night. The deceased truck driver, Sorokhaibam Babu (44), hails from Samurou in Imphal West.
Condemning the incident, deputy CM Gaikhangam instructed a senior police officer to check if there were any security lapses leading to the incident.
Md Sana (24) of Phoudel village in Yairipok was lynched by a mob on the night of April 12 for allegedly having an illicit relationship with a woman. The house of one Kh Kunjeshore was also torched by the mob.
Rubbishing the charge, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) set up against Sana's killing demanded that the government arrest the culprits and punish them accordingly.
On Thursday, Manipur principal secretary (home) issued an order for a police probe to establish the facts and circumstances of the violent incident, official sources said, adding that an IGP will head the inquiry. Reports of the investigation would be submitted to the government within a month, sources added.
With the issuance of the government order, the JAC called off the 48-hour general strike it had enforced from Wednesday evening. This followed a meeting with the JAC leaders and chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh at the latter's office. Sana's body, which was lying unclaimed in the mortuary of the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), was taken by the JAC and the bereaved family on Friday afternoon for his last rites.
Meanwhile, movement of vehicles along the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar highways and other inter-district routes was severely affected on Friday owing to a 24-hour 'chakka' bandh called by the All Manipur Road Transport, Drivers and Motor Workers' Union from Thursday midnight.
The bandh was called to protest against the gunning down of a truck driver and torching of two loaded trucks by suspected rebels along the Imphal-Silchar route on Wednesday night. The deceased truck driver, Sorokhaibam Babu (44), hails from Samurou in Imphal West.
Condemning the incident, deputy CM Gaikhangam instructed a senior police officer to check if there were any security lapses leading to the incident.
President's three-day visit to Sikkim, Manipur begins Monday
New Delhi, April 14 — President Pranab Mukherjee will visit the
northeastern states of Manipur and Sikkim on a three-day tour beginning
April 15, a statement from Rashtrapati Bhawan said Sunday.
In Manipur, the President will attend the diamond jubilee function of Adimjati Shiksha Ashram at Imphal where he will inaugurate the SC/ST girls hostel and also lay the foundation stone for a working women's hostel and a tribal boys' hostel.
In Sikkim, he will inaugurate the Siddeshwara Dham, at Solophok, in Namchi and dedicate it to the nation. He will also lay the foundation stone for the Sikkim University at Yangang, in south Sikkim.
The President will return to Delhi April 17.
In Manipur, the President will attend the diamond jubilee function of Adimjati Shiksha Ashram at Imphal where he will inaugurate the SC/ST girls hostel and also lay the foundation stone for a working women's hostel and a tribal boys' hostel.
In Sikkim, he will inaugurate the Siddeshwara Dham, at Solophok, in Namchi and dedicate it to the nation. He will also lay the foundation stone for the Sikkim University at Yangang, in south Sikkim.
The President will return to Delhi April 17.
New Delhi asks Manipur to supply electricity to Myanmar
New Delhi has asked Manipur government to supply electricity to
the neighbouring country Myanmar despite shortage being faced by the
state. Manipur chief secretary has received an instruction from the
Centre regarding the matter asking the state government to take up steps
immediately on the power supply on the basis done with Bangladesh by
the Centre, a highly reliable source in the Manipur secretariat said
Friday.
The instruction further asked the state government to construct a 400 KV/500 KV transmission line up to Mandalay in Myanmar and invite all NE states to join hands in investing Myanmar for setting up electricity generating plants.The source further said that investment to Myanmar was ‘a must’ to avail cheap and environment friendly electricity. As the neighbouring country has a huge potential of power generation.
The instruction further asked the state government to construct a 400 KV/500 KV transmission line up to Mandalay in Myanmar and invite all NE states to join hands in investing Myanmar for setting up electricity generating plants.The source further said that investment to Myanmar was ‘a must’ to avail cheap and environment friendly electricity. As the neighbouring country has a huge potential of power generation.
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