Heavy rush at Manipur stall at flora expo
Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI, Sep 13: Dried flowers, bonsai plants and indigenous orchids displayed at the Manipur stall of the 3rd International Flora Expo 2007 held at Pragati Maidan here drew a big crowd on the second day today.
Union minister of agriculture Arjun Singh inaugurated the three-day expo yesterday. The minister mentioned the contribution of National Horticulture Mission launched last year and the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States in 2001-02. Centres for organized floriculture had emerged in many parts of the country including Bangalore, Pune, and Nasik. Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim had entered export and domestic markets in this field.
Setting up of six agri-export zones for floriculture, besides a large number of flower clusters under National Horticulture Mission, was expected to provide further impetus to the domestic and international trade of floriculture products in the coming years, the minister added.
N Birendrakumar Singh, agriculture officer of the Technology Mission Cell, Manipur said here today that all 150 bonsais displayed by Th Imocha and all indigenous orchids displayed by T Nabachandra had been booked by the customers yesterday itself. The value of the bonsais would be around Rs. one lakh. Buyers did not believe the indigenous orchids like dendobrium as real plant. They asked if it was made of plastic, he added.
Ashihrii of Mao who displayed dried flowers and other decorative items said that his items were made of pine reeds, hydrangea (Forget Me Not), wild moss, chrysanthemum found in the hills. The products were bouquets with bamboo baskets, bouquets wrapped by polythene sheets and traditional dolls made of maize seeds. The buyers asked about the various designs of his exhibits, he said.
========================================
Approval for state medical college at JN hospital; Cabinet decides panchayat polls will be held as per schedule
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: The state Cabinet today decided to conduct the panchayat election according to schedule fixed earlier on September 19. It also approved the setting up of JN Institute of Medical Sciences at JN hospital.
In the meantime, the printing of the ballot papers for the panchayat election is nearing completion at the state printing and stationary directorate, an official source said.
The Cabinet meeting today discussed the schedule of the panchayat election in four valley districts of the state with reference to the flood situation in the state.
Considering the improving flood situation and likely further improvement, the Cabinet decided to conduct the elections as per schedule.
"The Cabinet has decided to the conduct the election as per schedule," announced panchayat minister, Md Allaudin to reporters tonight at the chief minister`s bungalow after the meeting concluded.
The matter regarding whether the election should be held as per schedule or re-scheduled owing to the flood situation could not be decided even after long discussions with top officials of the state election commission and minister of rural development before the matter was placed in the Cabinet meeting today.
Earlier, the matter was discussed at a high level meeting presided by rural development and panchayati raj minister, Md. Allauddin which discussed the possibility of re-scheduling the election but a decision could not be taken.
The meeting held at 2 pm at the rural development and pachayati raj minister`s office chamber was attended by the state chief secretary, advocate general, law secretary, director, rural development minister apart from the state election commissioner.
Meanwhile, a source from the state printing and stationary directorate said that printing of ballot papers for all the panchayats and zilla parishads are nearing completion and dispatching of the same through the respective ROs will begin in the next few days.
Printing of ballot papers for 61 zilla parishads, 160 gram panchayats and 1383 members of gram panchayats excluding those of the un-contested panchayat constituencies are currently being undertaken at the printing and stationary directorate, Imphal.
The state Cabinet also discussed the setting up of a state level medical hospital. The Cabinet agreed to establish the same at the complex of the JN hospital at Porompat by changing its name to JN Institute of Medical Sciences.
The team of ministers led by chief minister O Ibobi Singh will inspect the JN hospital complex tomorrow for the same purpose, sources said.
The Cabinet also discussed other agendas like creation of ex-cadre post in police department etc., sources said.
=====================================
Kukis remember ethnic clashes of nineties on Black Day
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: The Kuki community in Manipur observed `Black Day` in remembrance of the victims of the ethnic clashes of the 1990s leaving aside all work today.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Kuki Movement for Human Rights said that the mourning on this day would continue till no settlement was brought about between the United Naga Council, UNC and Kuki Inpi Manipur.
It stated that the UNC responded to the invitation of the KIM and they met twice in March and April 1994. The Kukis brought up a five-point condition for peaceful settlement, but the UNC failed to address the matter properly. "Rather they said at the meetings that they were not allowed to do so by the NSCN(IM)," it added.
Thousands of people of Kuki and Naga communities settling in the hilly areas of the state were killed and hundreds of them were left homeless in the ethnic clashes in the early part of the nineties.
The Kuki community has been observing `Black Day` every year on September 13 in remembrance of the killings and destroying of houses at Joupi village in Churachandpur district.
Ninety percent of the villagers, including children and old age people, were slain in the Joupi massacre on September 1993 apart from burning down of all the houses there in the ethnic clashes, according to the president of the Kuki Students Organization, KSO.
Almost all the Kuki inhabited villages across the state flew black flags in front of their homes today as a mark of respect and in remembrance of all their brethren who were slain, allegedly by the NSCN(IM) according to the Kukis.
Fasting and prayers at the churches were also held as a part of the observation, reports said.
A report from Moreh which is inhabited by a large population of Kuki said that all the important market places and educational institutes remained closed for the day affecting normal trade activities at the international border town.
Around 300 Kukis gathered at the main church located at Moreh and performed prayers and fasting. The same was also done at Kangpokpi in Senapati and Churachandpur districts.
The Kuki community of Manipur University also observed Black Day in remembrance of the 106 innocent men, women and children who were massacred on September 13, 1993
Student leaders, research scholars and elders spoke on the need for reconciliation and restoration of peace and normalcy in the state and prayed for the departed souls, said a release.
=====================================
Over 16000 hectares of paddy fields destroyed in floods: report
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: A total 16,538 hectares of paddy crop were damaged in the recent floods in the four valley districts of the state, according to a estimate made by the state agriculture department. Many paddy fields and dwelling houses are also still under water.
Even as the highest number of houses were submerged in Imphal east, the flood submerged the highest number of hectares in Thoubal district as per reports submitted by the district agricultural officers of the four districts.
According to the report, paddy fields damaged in Thoubal district was 7,527 hectares while crop submerged by flood water in Imphal east district was worked out to be 7,215 hectares.
The least damage was in Imphal west district. In this district only 206 hectares paddy field were submerged. In Bishenpur district 1590 hectares of land with paddy crop were submerged in flood waters.
However, the report of the respective district officers are yet to be verified by the state agriculture department. The spot verification will be conducted tomorrow, according to the officials of the department.
The officers also observed that even as many paddy fields were submerged, some areas may not be totally damaged as the flood water level receded quickly. The maximum damage occurred at places where the water logging took place for a long time.
After the assessment of total paddy crop, the department will start planning for rabi crops, according to the officials of the department.
Mention may be made that a total of 54,607 households in the four districts were seriously affected in the floods, according to official reports of the state government.
Out of this, 28,886 families were in Imphal East, 1000 families in Imphal West, 21,000 in Thoubal and 3021 families in Bishnupur, the source said.
The government opened 39 relief camps, including 31 in Imphal east, and eight in Bishnupur district. The number excluded the relief camps opened by the civil organizations.
The flood at Thoubal district occurred due to the breach of the left bank of the Thoubal river at Md Mehrarudin Mapa which affected Thoubal Moijing village and its surrounding paddy fields, at Kalikhong affecting Khekman area and its surrounding areas. The right bank was breached at Keibung Wangma affecting Keibung village and its adjoining areas.
The breach on Turel Ahanbi occurred at two points, at Turel Ahanbi Mayai Leikai and Irong Chesaba submerging Irong, Maibam, Heibung Makhong and Khelakhong.
Overflow of Lali stream at two points affected the Wangjing Tekcham Leikai of Thoubal district and Mayang Langjing Tamang of Imphal west. Overflow of Wangjing river caused floods at four places along Tekcham Leikai, Nungphou, Cherapur, Puleipokpi, Tentha and Heibung villages. Overflow of the same river at four places also affected Heirok part-I, II and III.
Overflow of the Imphal river at Maibam Pali flooded Khelakhong, Santhel, Nastou, Maibam of Thoubal and Mayang Imphal, Konchak and Uchiwa and Heiyel etc.
In Imphal east, the overflow of Kongba river from Pangei bridge up to Kongba area at different places flooded Kongba Laishram Leikai, Chanam Leikai, Khaidem Leikai, Motum Leikai, Kshetri Leikai, Ayangpali road Thawanthaba Leikai, Kongba, Thambalkhong, Porompat, Uchekon, Tathok Mapal, Jubraj Pali etc.
The overflow of the same river also submerged paddy fields at Pangei area and its surrounding villages.
The Jiri river flooding in Imphal east affected Karanga and Golarthon villages in Jiribam.
In Imphal west floods occurred due to breach of Yngumlok, Singda, Abulok and Mangralok streams and Nambul river submerged the villages at Tairenpopki and its adjoining areas, Lamlongei, Kangchup Chingkhong, Lamdeng, Sagolband, Yangoi Loukon, Santipur, Iroishemba, Samushang, Heirangoithong, Wangoi, Langthabal Mantrikhong, Yangoi loukon, Sanjenbam etc.
Breaches on the bank of river Luwanglei also flooded Khamaran areas.
Overflow of Manipur river flooded Hiyangkhong, Komlakhong, Phoubakchso, Laphupat Tera etc.
In Bishnupur floods occurred due to breach of banks of Saiton, Moirang rivers and Laiga, Sandangkhong, Waishel and Khabi streams. More than 16 places were submerged by the flood waters in this district.
Breaching of the banks of Tuine stream at four places caused floods in Keithelmanbi area of Senapati district.
==================================
Private schools to launch campaign to `free` education
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: Fed up over constant monetary demands and other forms of pressure from various sections, the private schools functioning in the state have decided to launch a month long protest campaign seeking to make education a `free zone`.
Disclosing that, president of the All Manipur Government Recognised Private School Welfare Association, Shyama Khaba, said as part of a public awareness campaign with the theme of making education a free zone and a peace zone, a series of sit-in protests and a mass rally would be taken up during a month-long period starting from September 23 onwards.
He observed that monetory demands by underground groups as well as other organisations, have seriously affected the functioning of the schools. Frequent intrusion without permission by salespersons selling various other items also harms the academic atmosphere, and due to frequent bandhs and other disturbances, students are unable to pursue their studies peacefully, he observed.
During the campaign, every school belonging to the association will stage a sit-in protest of students and staff for a day each, he said, adding that it would be ensured that there is minimal disturbance to classes.
The respective school authorities would be responsible for organising the protests, he said, adding that the basic demands would be to make education a free zone/peace zone, to stop demanding monetory donations from educational institutions, and to exempt educational institutions from bandhs and strikes.
-------------------
Kangla Online
Manipur Information Centre
NEW DELHI, Sep 13: Dried flowers, bonsai plants and indigenous orchids displayed at the Manipur stall of the 3rd International Flora Expo 2007 held at Pragati Maidan here drew a big crowd on the second day today.
Union minister of agriculture Arjun Singh inaugurated the three-day expo yesterday. The minister mentioned the contribution of National Horticulture Mission launched last year and the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States in 2001-02. Centres for organized floriculture had emerged in many parts of the country including Bangalore, Pune, and Nasik. Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim had entered export and domestic markets in this field.
Setting up of six agri-export zones for floriculture, besides a large number of flower clusters under National Horticulture Mission, was expected to provide further impetus to the domestic and international trade of floriculture products in the coming years, the minister added.
N Birendrakumar Singh, agriculture officer of the Technology Mission Cell, Manipur said here today that all 150 bonsais displayed by Th Imocha and all indigenous orchids displayed by T Nabachandra had been booked by the customers yesterday itself. The value of the bonsais would be around Rs. one lakh. Buyers did not believe the indigenous orchids like dendobrium as real plant. They asked if it was made of plastic, he added.
Ashihrii of Mao who displayed dried flowers and other decorative items said that his items were made of pine reeds, hydrangea (Forget Me Not), wild moss, chrysanthemum found in the hills. The products were bouquets with bamboo baskets, bouquets wrapped by polythene sheets and traditional dolls made of maize seeds. The buyers asked about the various designs of his exhibits, he said.
========================================
Approval for state medical college at JN hospital; Cabinet decides panchayat polls will be held as per schedule
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: The state Cabinet today decided to conduct the panchayat election according to schedule fixed earlier on September 19. It also approved the setting up of JN Institute of Medical Sciences at JN hospital.
In the meantime, the printing of the ballot papers for the panchayat election is nearing completion at the state printing and stationary directorate, an official source said.
The Cabinet meeting today discussed the schedule of the panchayat election in four valley districts of the state with reference to the flood situation in the state.
Considering the improving flood situation and likely further improvement, the Cabinet decided to conduct the elections as per schedule.
"The Cabinet has decided to the conduct the election as per schedule," announced panchayat minister, Md Allaudin to reporters tonight at the chief minister`s bungalow after the meeting concluded.
The matter regarding whether the election should be held as per schedule or re-scheduled owing to the flood situation could not be decided even after long discussions with top officials of the state election commission and minister of rural development before the matter was placed in the Cabinet meeting today.
Earlier, the matter was discussed at a high level meeting presided by rural development and panchayati raj minister, Md. Allauddin which discussed the possibility of re-scheduling the election but a decision could not be taken.
The meeting held at 2 pm at the rural development and pachayati raj minister`s office chamber was attended by the state chief secretary, advocate general, law secretary, director, rural development minister apart from the state election commissioner.
Meanwhile, a source from the state printing and stationary directorate said that printing of ballot papers for all the panchayats and zilla parishads are nearing completion and dispatching of the same through the respective ROs will begin in the next few days.
Printing of ballot papers for 61 zilla parishads, 160 gram panchayats and 1383 members of gram panchayats excluding those of the un-contested panchayat constituencies are currently being undertaken at the printing and stationary directorate, Imphal.
The state Cabinet also discussed the setting up of a state level medical hospital. The Cabinet agreed to establish the same at the complex of the JN hospital at Porompat by changing its name to JN Institute of Medical Sciences.
The team of ministers led by chief minister O Ibobi Singh will inspect the JN hospital complex tomorrow for the same purpose, sources said.
The Cabinet also discussed other agendas like creation of ex-cadre post in police department etc., sources said.
=====================================
Kukis remember ethnic clashes of nineties on Black Day
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: The Kuki community in Manipur observed `Black Day` in remembrance of the victims of the ethnic clashes of the 1990s leaving aside all work today.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Kuki Movement for Human Rights said that the mourning on this day would continue till no settlement was brought about between the United Naga Council, UNC and Kuki Inpi Manipur.
It stated that the UNC responded to the invitation of the KIM and they met twice in March and April 1994. The Kukis brought up a five-point condition for peaceful settlement, but the UNC failed to address the matter properly. "Rather they said at the meetings that they were not allowed to do so by the NSCN(IM)," it added.
Thousands of people of Kuki and Naga communities settling in the hilly areas of the state were killed and hundreds of them were left homeless in the ethnic clashes in the early part of the nineties.
The Kuki community has been observing `Black Day` every year on September 13 in remembrance of the killings and destroying of houses at Joupi village in Churachandpur district.
Ninety percent of the villagers, including children and old age people, were slain in the Joupi massacre on September 1993 apart from burning down of all the houses there in the ethnic clashes, according to the president of the Kuki Students Organization, KSO.
Almost all the Kuki inhabited villages across the state flew black flags in front of their homes today as a mark of respect and in remembrance of all their brethren who were slain, allegedly by the NSCN(IM) according to the Kukis.
Fasting and prayers at the churches were also held as a part of the observation, reports said.
A report from Moreh which is inhabited by a large population of Kuki said that all the important market places and educational institutes remained closed for the day affecting normal trade activities at the international border town.
Around 300 Kukis gathered at the main church located at Moreh and performed prayers and fasting. The same was also done at Kangpokpi in Senapati and Churachandpur districts.
The Kuki community of Manipur University also observed Black Day in remembrance of the 106 innocent men, women and children who were massacred on September 13, 1993
Student leaders, research scholars and elders spoke on the need for reconciliation and restoration of peace and normalcy in the state and prayed for the departed souls, said a release.
=====================================
Over 16000 hectares of paddy fields destroyed in floods: report
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: A total 16,538 hectares of paddy crop were damaged in the recent floods in the four valley districts of the state, according to a estimate made by the state agriculture department. Many paddy fields and dwelling houses are also still under water.
Even as the highest number of houses were submerged in Imphal east, the flood submerged the highest number of hectares in Thoubal district as per reports submitted by the district agricultural officers of the four districts.
According to the report, paddy fields damaged in Thoubal district was 7,527 hectares while crop submerged by flood water in Imphal east district was worked out to be 7,215 hectares.
The least damage was in Imphal west district. In this district only 206 hectares paddy field were submerged. In Bishenpur district 1590 hectares of land with paddy crop were submerged in flood waters.
However, the report of the respective district officers are yet to be verified by the state agriculture department. The spot verification will be conducted tomorrow, according to the officials of the department.
The officers also observed that even as many paddy fields were submerged, some areas may not be totally damaged as the flood water level receded quickly. The maximum damage occurred at places where the water logging took place for a long time.
After the assessment of total paddy crop, the department will start planning for rabi crops, according to the officials of the department.
Mention may be made that a total of 54,607 households in the four districts were seriously affected in the floods, according to official reports of the state government.
Out of this, 28,886 families were in Imphal East, 1000 families in Imphal West, 21,000 in Thoubal and 3021 families in Bishnupur, the source said.
The government opened 39 relief camps, including 31 in Imphal east, and eight in Bishnupur district. The number excluded the relief camps opened by the civil organizations.
The flood at Thoubal district occurred due to the breach of the left bank of the Thoubal river at Md Mehrarudin Mapa which affected Thoubal Moijing village and its surrounding paddy fields, at Kalikhong affecting Khekman area and its surrounding areas. The right bank was breached at Keibung Wangma affecting Keibung village and its adjoining areas.
The breach on Turel Ahanbi occurred at two points, at Turel Ahanbi Mayai Leikai and Irong Chesaba submerging Irong, Maibam, Heibung Makhong and Khelakhong.
Overflow of Lali stream at two points affected the Wangjing Tekcham Leikai of Thoubal district and Mayang Langjing Tamang of Imphal west. Overflow of Wangjing river caused floods at four places along Tekcham Leikai, Nungphou, Cherapur, Puleipokpi, Tentha and Heibung villages. Overflow of the same river at four places also affected Heirok part-I, II and III.
Overflow of the Imphal river at Maibam Pali flooded Khelakhong, Santhel, Nastou, Maibam of Thoubal and Mayang Imphal, Konchak and Uchiwa and Heiyel etc.
In Imphal east, the overflow of Kongba river from Pangei bridge up to Kongba area at different places flooded Kongba Laishram Leikai, Chanam Leikai, Khaidem Leikai, Motum Leikai, Kshetri Leikai, Ayangpali road Thawanthaba Leikai, Kongba, Thambalkhong, Porompat, Uchekon, Tathok Mapal, Jubraj Pali etc.
The overflow of the same river also submerged paddy fields at Pangei area and its surrounding villages.
The Jiri river flooding in Imphal east affected Karanga and Golarthon villages in Jiribam.
In Imphal west floods occurred due to breach of Yngumlok, Singda, Abulok and Mangralok streams and Nambul river submerged the villages at Tairenpopki and its adjoining areas, Lamlongei, Kangchup Chingkhong, Lamdeng, Sagolband, Yangoi Loukon, Santipur, Iroishemba, Samushang, Heirangoithong, Wangoi, Langthabal Mantrikhong, Yangoi loukon, Sanjenbam etc.
Breaches on the bank of river Luwanglei also flooded Khamaran areas.
Overflow of Manipur river flooded Hiyangkhong, Komlakhong, Phoubakchso, Laphupat Tera etc.
In Bishnupur floods occurred due to breach of banks of Saiton, Moirang rivers and Laiga, Sandangkhong, Waishel and Khabi streams. More than 16 places were submerged by the flood waters in this district.
Breaching of the banks of Tuine stream at four places caused floods in Keithelmanbi area of Senapati district.
==================================
Private schools to launch campaign to `free` education
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 13: Fed up over constant monetary demands and other forms of pressure from various sections, the private schools functioning in the state have decided to launch a month long protest campaign seeking to make education a `free zone`.
Disclosing that, president of the All Manipur Government Recognised Private School Welfare Association, Shyama Khaba, said as part of a public awareness campaign with the theme of making education a free zone and a peace zone, a series of sit-in protests and a mass rally would be taken up during a month-long period starting from September 23 onwards.
He observed that monetory demands by underground groups as well as other organisations, have seriously affected the functioning of the schools. Frequent intrusion without permission by salespersons selling various other items also harms the academic atmosphere, and due to frequent bandhs and other disturbances, students are unable to pursue their studies peacefully, he observed.
During the campaign, every school belonging to the association will stage a sit-in protest of students and staff for a day each, he said, adding that it would be ensured that there is minimal disturbance to classes.
The respective school authorities would be responsible for organising the protests, he said, adding that the basic demands would be to make education a free zone/peace zone, to stop demanding monetory donations from educational institutions, and to exempt educational institutions from bandhs and strikes.
-------------------
Kangla Online
