Imphal, February 19: A Gypsy in which some poll workers of MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam were travelling was pushed down a gorge by some armed men at Khoirok along Old Cachar road after forcing all the persons to alight from the vehicle today at around 1 pm. The armed men numbered about 14 to 18. The six persons travelling in the Gypsy were also thrashed by the armed men. They are currently taking shelter at the JK Light Infantry post located nearby. In connection with the incident, the District Election Officer, Tamenglong district has sought a report from Gaikhangam. The MPCC president is contesting the ensuing elections in Nungba A/C which goes to polls in the third phase on February 23.

Imphal, February 19: Based on specific information, troops of 22 Maratha Light Infantry apprehended a PLA cadre from Tharoijam on Feb 17. The apprehended cadre has been identified as Maibam Samachand Singh (34) s/o Laingam Singh of Salam Makha Leikai. One scooter (Regn no. RJ-14M 8816) has also been recovered from his possession, informed PRO AR in a delayed statement made available to the press. The apprehendee along with the recovered scooter has been handed over to Patsoi Police Station yesterday, the statement added.

Imphal, February 19: Counting of votes for the Assembly constituencies of Thoubal, Wangkhem, Heirok, Wangjing Tentha and Khangabok will beginning from 8 am of February 27 at the counting hall of Thoubal district DC office complex, said a press hand-out issued by RO Thoubal. For the Assembly constituencies of Khundrakpam, Heingang, Khurai and Lamlai at the DIC complex of the district starting from 8 am of February 27. Starting at the same time and date, counting of votes for Keirao A/C and Andro A/C will be done at the Panchayat Bhavan, DC office complex, Imphal East. Counting of votes for Konthoujam A/C and Patsoi A/C would begin at the same time and date at DC complex, Imphal West.

Imphal, February 19: The All India Students' Federation, Manipur State Council has congratulated the Manipur contingent of the 33rd Guwahati National Games for securing second position in the over all medals tally, conveyed a press release. Hailing the extraordinary feat of the Manipuri players, AISF Manipur State Council reminded the inevitability of the State Government as well as the people to promote and encourage sportspersons of the State so that they can bring laurels and fame for Manipur in international sporting arena.

Imphal, February 19: As a part of the ongoing Crafts Bazar being organised by the Creations Society for Handicraft and Goodwill, a spot painting competition for children (classes III-V, VI-VIII) on the theme �Women in Crafts� would be held on February 21 at the venue of the Crafts Bazar at Mapal Kangjeibung. Moreover, dance and cultural programmes would also be held on the day, it added.

Jiribam, February 19: A State level NSS Adolescent YUVA quiz organised by the State NSS Cell in collaboration with the NSS Regional Centre, Guwahati will be held at 11 am of February 20 at Kangla Hall, Imphal. The quiz contest will be participated by the winners of the District Level quiz contests from eight districts of Manipur, said a press release.

Imphal, February 19: A one day training programme for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) on utilisation of rapid diagnostic kit and distribution of anti-malaria drugs was held on February 17 at Saikul Primary Health Centre under the aegis of District Vector Borne Disease Control Society, Kangpokpi, informed a PIB released.

Imphal, February 19: Three Govt employees who failed to report at DC office (Control Room) Churachandpur in connection with election duty have been suspended. They are K Liankunga who works as a graduate teacher under ZEO, PC Manga who works as an assistant teacher under District Council and A Inaomacha, who works as Head Forest Guard in the office of DFO, CCpur. On the other hand, DC/DEO, Chandel Norbert Disinang has issued an order asking two polling personnel who wer found absent for election duty to attend duty immediately. They are Kothang Maring, a lecturer in DIET, Chandel who has been assigned duty as Presiding Officer and TS Keshorejit Singh, LDC at ITI Chandel, who has been assigned duty as polling officer No. III. The order made it clear that necessary disciplinary action would be taken against them according to Section 134 of RP Act 1951 if they fail to attend duty immediately.

Imphal, February 19: A two-day seminar on �Environment and Biodiversity of Manipur: Issues and Concerns� would be held at Senate Hall of Manipur University, Chanchipur on February 24 and 25. The seminar is being hosted by Manipur University Research Club (MURC).

Imphal, February 19: All the designated polling personnel for election duty in 40-Jiribam A/C have been intimated that the polling parties except for Babukhal and Boroikhal polling stations shall move on February 22 at 8 am from ADC's office complex, Jiribam for their respective polling stations, informed a press release by RO Jiribam A/C. Polling material including EVMs etc shall also be collected/checked before the departure date. For Babukhal and Boroikhal polling stations, polling personnel shall move on February 21 at 8 am, it added.

Imphal, February 19: The BJP nominee of Saikot AC, Ng Haokip who is reported to have been kidnapped by some armed men on Friday night and was missing ever since and was not abducted as was reported. Appearing at the office of The Sangai Express personally, Ng Haokip today said as was reported, some elements stormed his residence on Friday but he had a narrow escape as he was alerted about it. Fearing a more rigorous hunt he didn�t inform his whereabouts even to his family and that incidentally gave them and many of his supporters, the impression that he was kidnapped.

Imphal, February 19: Protesting what they termed as �double standard� in the mode of selection of its �consensus candidates� by the United Naga Council (UNC), hundreds of womenfolk staged a peace rally at Chandel district headquarters today. The womenfolk were demanding free and fair conduct of the polls during the third phase election to the two Assembly segments of the district on February 23.

Chandel district will go to the polls along with Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts and Jiribam sub-divisions during the third and final phase of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly election on February 23. Leaders of Anal Sinnu Ruwi (Anal Women�s Association), who organised the rally said UNC had on January 19 declared L Benjamin as its consensus independent candidate and subsequently people started campaigning for him. But the UNC had on January 29 rejected Benjamin�s candidature and recommended Francis Huten as its chosen candidate, thereby creating confusion among the people, they said. �Now the people are strongly against the double standard stand of the UNC and the protest rally is being taken out to ring out this message to UNC�, they explained, while informing that some people at the instigation of UNC have been issuing threats to the people. They also appealed to all concerned to maintain peace and allow every voters in the two ACs of Chandel disttrict to exercise their democratic rights in accordance to their choice. � Now we want a free and fair conduct of the polls without any threat or intimidation from any quarters and that the people should decide themselves to choose their best candidate��, said RD Samery, president of the Association. While KL Khunghlung Anal, 68, a supporter of Benjamin, reacted that other candidates should respect their rivals and that they should not use any kind of muscle powers against the voters, TS Shangmani, 54 expressed her feelings to allow all electorates to enjoy their democratic rights without any restrictions from any organizations. Placards reading � Stop suppressing our right to vote�, � Where is our liberty of choice�, � Give us chance to select our leader�, � My vote, my rights�, �Stop imposing against our rights�, etc were held by the rallyists during the peace rally which began from Chandel Christian village and marched towards the district headquarters road to submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner/ Returning Officer in this connection. The memorandum demanded free and fair conduct of the polls and take all out possible measures to safeguard the people while exercising their democratic rights.

3rd phase polling - Violence rocks Chandel, CCpur
UNC accuses Security Forces
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: A Maruti Gypsy belonging to Independent candidate from Tengnoupal AC, Marung Mokunga has been completely damaged and the election office of the candidate set up at Kangshang in Chandel was ransacked by Manipur police commandos and the BSF personnel, according to the United Naga Council, reports NNN. UNC chief KS Paul Leo while informing this development to Newmai News Network tonight, rued that the motive of the security forces was to hamper the movement launched by the UNC. Leo stated that at around 3/4 pm today personnel of Manipur police commandos and the BSF were loitering around Pallel and the adjoining areas and then went to Kangshang which is some 2 km away from Pallel and ransacked the office of Marung Mokunga who is the UNC�s consensus candidate. The UNC leader also alleged that files and election posters weretorn to shreds and the vehicle of the candidate has been completely damaged. According to the UNC president, the Maruti gypsy with registration number bearing AR-O-1/4662 of which the permit issued on February 10, 2007 bearing number 001. The UNC president further lamented that the UNC team is now campaigning in the Chandel district and now it has been noticed that the state agencies are all out to intimidate and threaten the innocent villagers to go against the UNC. The Naga body urged the Returning Officer/Deputy Commissioner of Chandel to take up the matter at the earliest time possible with regard to the incident and award appropriate action against the Manipur police commandos and the BSF personnel involved in carrying out unlawful activities.

CCpur reels under pre-poll violence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Five days before the six Assembly Constituencies in the CCpur district go to poll, Churachandpur appears to be witnessing its own share of political violence as it has now come under a spate of vandalism, intimidation and accusation, reports our correspondent S Guite. Thangso Baite, INC candidate in Singngat AC last night alleged that five of his workers including a central executive committee member were apprehended and tortured by UZO volunteers at Singngat village on Saturday. Gindoulian 44, executive member in Thangso Baite�s election committee stated at a press conference that some 20/30 volunteers detained him and four others at Tuinuam village, 8 kms SW of Singngat while heading for Behiang. Their belongings, I-card, agent form for 5 polling stations and electoral roll were allegedly seized by their captors and were tortured for about one and a half hour in the jungle blind folded. They were let off only after they agreed to sign a document declaring that they will not enter the region until the polls were over. Unlike in other cases, the captives and their candidate denied any involvement of armed groups in the skirmishes. Instead, the captives who were handed over to the lone police personnel at Singngat Police station and acquire on Sunday from the custody of the Assam Rifles, categorically stated that it was a handiwork of none but UZO volunteers. Hangkhanpau, the candidate who has already claimed that his supporters were intimidated and tortured by INC supporters and the KNA cadres, today witness a stream of atleast sixty three womenfolk from Songpeh area under Sangaikot TD block, inside his residential campus. These women claimed that they were sent by the village chief to get back their husbands and sons, who had escape their home and took refuge in the residence of Hangkhanpau, the NPP candidate in Singhat AC after the armed men took reign of their villages. Relatives of these women, about eighty in number however were anxious of returning as they were of the opinion that the womenfolk were here under duress and that the armed men who had already terrorize them can again act anytime and at will. At his home turf in Saikot AC, TN Haokip today encounter a grave accusation from his counterpart, M Chungkhosei Haokip, as he was formally being accused of conspiring with KNA cadres in vandalizing LJP office and issuing threat to the voters at least on three instances. Speaking to the press today, Chungkhosei claimed that his office at Monglienphai village was vandalized and his worker injured, by armed KNA cadres last night at around 7pm. He also alleged that armed KNA cadres with attire similar to IRB uniform last night threaten atleast 13 chiefs in Dampi area and 26 chiefs in Vaison area of dire consequences if their respective villages failed to vote in favour of TN Haokip, INC candidate, after summoning them. They even open fired within the premises of Jamkholun, 76 chief of Dampi, rendering the aged man unconscious, he alleged. Terming the incidents as unfortunate, Chungkhosei today claimed that he had no amenities with any armed group nor collude with them and said he considered TN Hoakip not as an enemy but as a colleague. He also downplayed the allegation TN Haokip and his cohorts were levelling against him in regards to the Joint Administrative building and term the contention that he had received 40 lakhs rupees from T Phuzathang as baseless. �I�ve never talked to Phungzathang nor discuss anything with him; it was TN Haokip who had said �you can build the Jt. administrative building anywhere as long as I get the contract works� he said.

Anal Women Union peeved
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, February 19: Expressing unhappiness over the reported flip-flop stand of the United Naga Council (UNC) on selecting its candidates, the Anal Women Union or ASR has dismissed the claim of the UNC for alleged modification of the �Consensus Candidates� as null and void published in local newspapers. It said that on January 19 the name of L. Benjamin had been declared as the UNC�s consensus candidate for the 41 Chandel A/C of which the UNC had dispatched the letter UNC vide/letter/19/1/2007. The Anal Women Union further stated that a common symbol chosen by UNC for each �consensus candidate� is a candle and accordingly L.Benjamin had been allotted a candle as his symbol by the Election Commission and the candidate with the candle symbol is campaigning in full swing for winning the election. �At such a stage, there is no question of changing or modifying in the list of consensus candidates� names arise,� charged the Anal Women Union, adding, �UNC may intend to change their stand from time to time but the mind of the voters cannot be changed,� quipped the Anal Women Union statement.

More violence rocks Chandel and CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: A police team led by the Additional SP of Thoubal police rushed to Kangshang on receiving reports that some people who were planning to take out a peace rally in Pallel were detained by some armed groups at Kangshang today. The people were coming on a canter when it was hijacked by the armed persons, said police sources and added that the vehicle along with the rallyists were detained at Kangshang. When the police team reached the spot, they found that the canter was substantially damaged, said the source adding that it has been recovered by the police. The police team also came across one Gypsy and one Yamaha motorcycle. Both were extensively damaged, said the source but the police did not recover them. Meanwhile The Maring Napuiya Yinglam and the Maring Students' Union have strongly condemned the action of NSCN (IM) cadres on the women of various Maring villages who were coming out to participate in a peace rally in connection with the Assembly election at Meipou public ground, near Pallel today. In a statement, the MNY said that many women were beaten and detained by NSCN (IM) cadres.

UNLF hails sportspersons of the region
Source: The Sangai Express

Moreh, February 19: The proscribed United National Liberation Front has heartily congratulated all the sportspersons of the region, particularly of Assam and Manipur for their outstanding performance in the just concluded National Games held in Guwahati. A statement issued by Senior Publicity Officer of UNLF, Ksh Yoiheiba asserted that even as the sports event was held in an atmosphere of colonial conflict, the performance of the sportspersons of the region in both the individual and team events was indeed outstanding. Saying that the outfit is really proud of the State's sportspersons who have once again proved their dominance in all the events they competed, Yoiheiba noted that the sportspersons of Manipur need not be disheartened by securing second position in the overall medals tally. In terms of performance, the Manipur players are number one, it said. The outfit also conveyed pride over the good performance of those Manipuri players who represented and won medals for other States. Taking a cue from this victory, UNLF called upon the sportpersons and sports lovers of the State to strive for achieving more laurels in international sporting arena. UNLF would always stand by in every possible way, it added.

Posers to RIMS on PG MD/MS entrance test
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Can there be different yardsticks while enforcing the rules laid down for a competitive examination, particularly when it comes to such a crucial examination as the RIMS PG Entrance examination, which was held on February 11 ? A candidate who was unceremoniously not allowed to sit for the examination on the ground that he had arrived late by 3 minutes has raised the question, �I was not allowed to sit for the examination on the ground that I was late by 3 minutes, as per clause number 7 of the Direction issued to the candidates in the admit card. However there still remains the question of whether the authority concerned had abided by Clause 2 of the Direction issued to the candidates�. Clause 2 of the said rule says, �Candidates should report at the examination hall 15 minutes before the commencement of the examination�. Citing this clause, the candidate who was barred from sitting for the said PG entrance test, countered �If Clause number 7 was enforced so strictly, I would like to question whether all the candidates who were allowed to appear for the entrance test had reported 15 minutes before the examination started�. The examination was to start at 11 am and this in effect means that all the candidates should report by 10.45 am, he said and questioned, �Was this rule followed?�. If Clause 2 was indeed followed then there must be a record, he said and wondered whether RIMS authority can produce the record to show that this Clause was adhered to on the day of the examination. Another interesting question raised by the candidate relates to the time of his entry to the examination hall. �My watch told me the time was 11.14 am so did the wall clock inside the examination hall. Moreover I was allowed to enter the examination hall by the security guards. The explanation issued in a statement by the Media Advisor of RIMS and which was published in certain section of the media said that the time was 11.18 am when I arrived. The question now is, according to whose watch should the time of the examination be decided,?� countered the candidate. Clause 7 of the Direction says, �No candidate will be permitted to enter the hall after fifteen minutes of the starting of the examination hall.� This means that a candidate is given time to enter the examination hall and sit for the exam till 11.14 am, asserted the candidate. Quality education is the call of many NGOs at the moment and PG courses in medical institutes are highly specialised fields dealing with human lives, opined the candidate and added that the RIMS PG MD/MS entrance examination needs to be conducted with the sanctity the courses demand. It would be productive for the various NGOs which are trying to usher in quality education in the State to turn their attention to such entrance examination, he added. Asserting he was quite confident of clearing the examination this time, the candidate recalled that he secured the 4th position in 2005 and in 2006 he secured the 10th position. That I was turned away even after I had entered the examination hall has shattered me, he added.

Patient-party clash with docs, RIMS shut
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Death of a woman in labour led to a clash between the patient�s party and the doctors at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) this morning. The Director of the Institute has directed the Head of the Gynaecology Department to conduct an inquiry into the incident even as the casualty ward of the Institute has been closed down by the doctors in protest. The deceased woman has been identified as M Sangkhu (37) of Sandang Senba Maring Khul and her husband as one Chandrika Sahani (38) from Bihar but staying at the house of his wife. Talking to mediapersons in connection with death of his wife, Sahani, who works as a driver cum mechanic, said doctors had asked him to purchase necessary medicines for the delivery of his child at around 7.30 am today but when he came back with the medicines at around 7.45 am, he found his wife in a critical condition and doctors attending on her. Later the doctors told him that his wife could not be saved. Sahani informed that at the advice of one Dr Binodkumar, his wife was admitted to the hospital on February 16. However, when he went to find out what are the medicines that the doctors had administered to his wife, it was found out that the doctors had alleged entered in the register that his wife was not admitted to the hospital on February 16, 17 and 18. Sahani informed that his wife had been staying in the hospital since the day she was admitted on Feb 16 and as she could not get a bed, she was lying on the floor. None of the doctors have been ever come to check her and it was only this morning that when her labour pain started that the doctors rushed her to the labour room, he asserted. Furious over the conduct of the doctors, the patient�s party reportedly ransacked room of the doctors at first before the clash broke out. One of the security guards of the hospital who was trying to control the situation and another person from the side of the patient�s party reportedly suffered injuries in the ensuing melee. Arrival of personnel from Lamphel Police Station managed to bring the situation under control though tension still ran high. With apprehension of continuation of the clash, nurses have shifted other woman patients admitted for delivery cases to another ward. When asked the names of the doctors who were on duty at the ward today, the nurses declined to answer with a firm �we don�t know�. After the clash, the doctors of the hospital in protest closed down the casualty ward of RIMS since 11.30 am. Talking to mediapersons at his office chamber in connection with the incident, RIMS Director Prof L Fimate disclosed that Dr Manglem, Head of Gynae Department has been entrusted to conduct an inquiry to find out the truth and submit the report soon. Necessary action would be taken up only after the report has been studied, he added. While informing that it has also come to his knowledge about the alleged absence of the deceased woman patient when doctors came for their round of duty on February 16, 17 and 18, Prof Fimate noted that the maternity ward of the hospital is overloaded. In connection with the incident, Health Minister DK Korungthang and Minister Allauddin Khan visited RIMS in the afternoon. Meanwhile, a JAC has been formed in connection with the death of the woman and setting February 21 as the deadline it has raised the demand for conducting a judicial inquiry, penalising the guilty doctors and payment of Rs 3 lakhs as ex-gratia. The body has been picked up by the police and kept at the mortuary at around 7.15 pm. A complaint has also been lodged with the Lamphel police in this connection.

7 PHED officials abducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Seven officials including a driver of the Public Health and Engineering Department have been reportedly abducted by unidentified persons on February 7 and their where-abouts not known till today. A reliable source said that the officials were abducted by UNLF cadres. Chief Engineer of the Department as well as the family members of the abducted officials lodged a complaint to the Chief Minister in this connection today afternoon. Following the advice of the Chief Minister, the worried family members met Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam later during the day. However, what transpired during the meeting is not known. The officials who have been abducted are H Sushil (SE), M Ibomcha (SE), O Kulachandra (EE), Nobin (AE), Arun (SO), Nabakumar (SO) and Somo. Talking to mediapersons in this connection, Chief Engineer of PHE Gurumayum Joychandra who was among those to meet the Chief Minister today said the urgency to meet the Chief Minister and lodged a complaint has come about as the abductors have asked for handing over some amount (fund) of the Department which had been allegedly misused. But the Chief Minister told us to meet the Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, he added. When questioned whether he would meet the Chief Minister after having met the Works Minister, the Chief Engineer replied in the affirmative. However, whether the Chief Engineer or any of the family members of the abducted officials have met the CM after their meeting with the Works Minister could not be confirmed till the filing of this report.

Khammasom comes alive to Luira Phanit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: As in other parts of the State, the annual seed sowing festival of Naga community, Lui Ngai Ni was also celebrated at Khammasom village in Ukhrul district as Luira Phanit Khammasom, 2007. Presentation of cultural dances, folk songs and competitions in various items are the main hallmark of the celebration which went on for four days. The event started off with taking out a procession to every parts of the village along with shouting of the traditional �Hoing�. Later on, Tangkhul Naga Long president Stephen Angkang formally inaugurated the celebration as chief guest during an impressive function held at the village ground by unfurling the flag. Apart from presentation of dances and songs by various cultural troupes, competition on singing, dance and on other sporting and game activities went on for four days. On the last day of the celebration, AMSU advisor N Kapur attended the event as chief guest. In his address, Kapur said the culture and tradition is the identity of a community. It is through these elements, that the world know about that particular community. So every community should try to preserve and develop their respective culture and tradition at the highest level, he said. He further said Manipur has been a home to various ethnic groups of people who have been living in mutual harmony since time immemorial. It is the culture and tradition of each of these ethnic groups that Manipur has been known the world over as a State with rich cultural heritage, he said, adding people of Manipur should feel proud of this fact. As part of the celebration, DESAM member Tomba and social worker Jadumani also demonstrated Thang-Ta, the martial art form of Manipuri people at the occasion.

Body looking forward to enforce ILPS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Stating that most of the political parties were persuaded to include implementation of Inner Line Permit System in their election manifestoes, the Inner Line Permit System Demand Committee said that it is looking forward to a Manipur State Legislative Assembly resolution whereby ILPS is enforced in the State as soon as the next Government is formed. A statement issued by ILPS Demand Committee took grim note of the ever increasing populace of outsiders in the State. The incessant influx of outsiders is not only overwhelming the indigenous population of Manipur but also threatening the very unique identity, culture and tradition of the Manipuris. After the Inner Line Permit System was abolished in the State on November 18, 1950 by Chief Commissioner Himat Singh, the population of the State has been growing at the rate greater than 30 percent as compared to all India growth rate of 1.98 percent. The staggering growth rate is almost wholly contributed by outsiders immigrating to the State after the ILP System was abolished in the State, observed the Committee. Besides making up one-third of the population, big business men from outside the State have been in total control of all the essential commodities. The situation has deteriorated to such a stage that most of the candidates of Assembly polls feel incapacitated to win elections with the blessings of these rich outsiders, it asserted. As such, the elected representatives of Manipur are unable to speak or act against the interests of the monopolistic outsiders. Saying that the people of Manipur are looking forward to the next Govt to enforce ILPS in the State, the Committee cautioned that failure to do so would impel the Committee and the people to act on their own to save the Manipuri nation for impending extinction. Many social organisations has been urging to enforce ILPS in the State.

CM congratulates Manipur contigent
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: Chief Minister O Ibobi has congratulated the State contingent of the 33rd National Games for their stupendous showing by bagging the second position in the medals tally and by holding the first position amongst the States. Services were at the top of the medals tally. In a statement, the Chief Minister said that the Manipur has always excelled at the National level and joined the others in the State in hailing the achievements of the sportspersons. Due to the ongoing election process, the State Government is not in a positin to organise a formal reception, said the CM but assured that once the poll process is over the State Government will arrange appropriate reception

132 sections of BSF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19: One hundred and thirty two sections of BSF personnel and polling personnel for 76 polling booths in the interior district of Churachandpur have been dispatched for poll duty for the third phase polling. The polling and security personnel heading for their destination today included, 38 hyper sensitive booths with 86 sections of security while 38 were sensitive with 46 sections of security personnel. IG (law & order) A Romen Kumar, Sushil Kumar DIG Range III and top ranking security officers officials of the district today took stock of the over all security and review the numerous preparation it has in the run-up to the election. Meanwhile, Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO) president Thanglianpau today conveys to all descendants of Zo, its due regards and warm wishes on the 59th Zomi Nam Ni (National Day). �It is desirable to gove a serious thought on the ongoing elections to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly and give true Zo nationalist a chance to represent us� reads the Nam Ni message that was observed on 20th February every year.

Positive networks from 4 NE States share thoughts
Source: The Sangai Express

Guwahati, February 19: A unique consultation brought together HIV positive people from Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. The main thrust of the meeting was to consolidate and expand the role that State-level networks of HIV positive people can play at the regional level. Having initiated many supportive and collaborative actions in their States, 35 representatives gathered to exchange experiences and learnings and develop mechanisms to ensure greater involvement of HIV positive people. They called for greater partnerships between networks, Government agencies and civil society organizations to effectively scale up the response to HIV in the North East region. The four-day consultation was organized by the Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) and supported by DFID (Department for International Development). Jahnabi Goswami, vice president, INP+, said, �The need of the hour is a strong alliance that can become a platform for fighting stigma. As positive people we want to contribute to effective policy making. We want to ensure enough resources are committed for people living with HIV in the North East�. Dr Kh Pramod Kumar, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society, said, �We have to fight the epidemic together and positive people�s involvement is vital to the programme�. Savita (name changed), peer counselor, at the ART Centre in Guwahati Medical College said that the need for involvement of positive people as service providers has been felt since long but it has been a slow process. �As a peer counsellor I know the difference a positive person can make for those accessing services�. Stigma and discrimination has been a barrier in positive people�s involvement in the programme. Though the network has around 200 members only a few are actively involved in activities due to fear of being stigmatized. Positive people said the more people disclose their status, it will be easy to plan delivery of services. A number of positive people do not access existing services or bear treatment expenses on their own due to fear of stigma and discrimination. �We must realize that positive people�s involvement in the intervention will reduce stigma and discrimination and improve existing services,� said Roshmi. Udita Salam, member of the steering committee APN+ (Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS), said, �It is equally important that positive women are also involved in the decision making process so that vital issues related to them are not overlooked. A gender balanced involvement is necessary�. Positive people said greater involvement of positive people has time and again shown an increase in service access and overall improvement in well-being of positive people. The State Networks in partnership with INP+ is consulting with the State AIDS Agencies, civil society organizations and network members to emerge with State specific plans to ensure participation of positive people. Alwin, INP+, said, �INP+ has proposed formation of State Community Advisory Boards which will work with and provide vital inputs to the State AIDS Agencies. National and regional level networks all over India have accepted this partnership model which is awaiting the approval of National AIDS Control Organization�. Ratan, Manipur Network of Positive People and Coordinator Avahan MNP+, stated that it is a proposal that would provide immense scope for involvement of positive people in all aspects of decision making. �Manipur has shown that such a model can work at the State level during ARV rollout in the state of Manipur.

Dr Lotha asks State Congress to clean their eyes first
Source: Oken Jeet Sandham - NEPS

Kohima, February 19: Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr TM Lotha has ridiculed the NPCC�s demand to remove him from office for violation of the Election Model Code of Conduct and further asked them to �clean their eyes first before attempting to clear others�. It may be mentioned that the NPCC has in an Open Letter to the Election Commission India demanded for removal of Dr TM Lotha, Minister for Health and family Welfare, from his office for violation of Election Model Code of Conduct. The Congress party charged that the Minister, while attending as a chief guest in one of the Medical department functions at Dimapur on February 16 had violated Election Model Code of Conduct by promising to �create post in a short time�. In a rejoinder issued here on Monday, the Minister who is also senior BJP leader had rather asked the Congress leaders in Nagaland to see how their Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had promised slew of schemes while campaigning for Congress candidates in Manipur�s Tamenglong district on February 18. He further asked the Congress leaders in the State to �clean their eyes first before attempting to clean others.� �Otherwise such childish, hasty and blind misinformation will only do more harm to their position,� he warned. Dr Lotha further surprised how the Congress had misconstrued as violation of the Election Model Code of Conduct about his attending of the normal annual affairs of the Nagaland Branch of the Indian Dental Association and his sharing of the Government�s contemplating to at least give a dentist each to all the district hospitals and also CHCs in the State during such meeting. �It is a routine affair of the Association and has no connection whatsoever either with the ensuing by-elections in the State,� he said. �In fact, I have never mentioned about the BJP, to which I belong, throughout my speech either nor did I ask to vote for the BJP or for that matter the ruling DAN coalition Government as it had no connection with the by-polls�. Terming as �uncalled for� the Congress allegation, Dr Lotha said the entire action of the Congress appeared that they would unlikely change their �old tricks of criticizing other parties.� He further cautioned the electorates to be ever guarded as the �Congress will continue to use the same old tricks to criticize the BJP, NPF and the DAN Government as they have no any other agenda for the people as usual�. Such actions of the Congress party also clearly showed that they were �panicky� and fear psychosis had already crept into the �rank and file of the party (Congress) as they had already been rejected by the people and they are going to be rejected in this coming by-elections too,� the Minister stated.

Guwahati, February 18: Blending a collage of the cultures of the country's North-Eastern States with the razzmatazz of pop and Bollywood glamour, the curtain came down on the 33rd National Games here today. On the medal tally, Services came back with a bang to outstrip runaway leaders Manipur who almost stalled at the finish line. The defence contingent thus claimed the coveted Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy for the first time. Manipur ruled the combat sports but their haul slowed down thereafter. The servicemen finished with 59 gold medals, 46 silver and 37 bronze to get ahead of Manipur (51-32-40). It was a remarkable achievement considering that the Services contingent consisted exclusively of men and thus had much fewer events to compete in. There was reason for much cheer as the host state proved to be a force to be reckoned with in national sport with a tally of 148 medals, including 38 gold, for third place. It was an incredible jump from a tally of 11 medals (one gold) achieved at Hyderabad in 2002. Significantly, the IOA presented a �special trophy� to the Manipur contingent for winning maximum number of gold medals among the competing States. On the last day of the sporting extravaganza, Manipur bagged three gold in women�s team triathlon and men and women�s sepak takraw regu event, a silver medal in men�s team triathlon competition in addition to adding a bronze in individual competition of the same event. Women trio of M Linthoingambi, Premita Devi and L Ashalata Devi completed the triathlon course and obstables in a total time of 8 hrs, 3 mins and 7.39 secs to clinch the gold medal while the men�s team finished second at 6 hrs, 14 mins and 27.59 secs. In men�s individual competition of the same event, Mani Singh won the bronze. State sepak takraw squad completed a clean sweep of all four top titles on offer winning the regu event finals in both the men and women�s categories today to add to the team competition gold medals won some day back. In the women�s regu final played today, Manipur defeated hosts Assam 21-8, 21-13 while the men�s side outplayed their opponents from the same State 21-10, 21-4. An enthralling multi-hued closing ceremony, watched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a host of dignitaries, brought the 10-day multi-disciplinary sports extravaganza to an end at the packed Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium. The Prime Minister formally declared the Games closed, saluting the untiring efforts, undaunted spirit and enthusiasm of the sportspersons who took part in the competition. "This evening we recognise the multitude of sporting talent in our midst. We rejoice in your success. All of you may not have won medals. But I salute your untiring efforts, undaunted spirit and enthusiasm. "Success is not the yardstick to assess one's abilities. What matters is the spirit. The spirit and the will to excel and endure," he said in his short speech. Claiming that Guwahati has organised the best ever Games, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said "there was a doubt in many quarters about our capability to host such a mega event and we have proved them wrong. We may not be rich but our hearts are large and warm, and we have determination and capability. "We are happy that all of you are going back with fond memories of this beautiful state and its warm hearted people, its hospitality; and a new perception that this Guwahati city is absolutely normal as any other city in the country," he said. Assam proved the doubting Thomases wrong as they hosted the Games in a manner that would make any state proud. The north eastern state bid for the Games in a period of severe financial crunch and frequent floods and not many would have bet on a largely-incident free mega event. There was speculation whether the Games would be held at all with the banned separatist outfit ULFA carrying out attacks on non-Assamese people throughout the state. But the Games went better than most of the observers, including the Indian Olympic Association, had expected beforehand. There were thousands of keen sports-lovers at each venue with many having to be sent back with the stadia already filled to the brim. They came from far and wide and had to walk long distances to get to the venues but that did not dampen their enthusiasm. The infrastructure was of the highest standards and the organisers left no stone unturned to make the players and other visitors comfortable. The Games were the biggest so far with around 11,000 participants from 33 contingents (29 states, three union territories and Services). There were a record 32 disciplines, including four debutants (lawn bowls, rugby sevens, wushu and karate). In a heartening feature, as many as 30 teams, including debutants Nagaland and the tiny Andaman and Nicobar islands, managed to win medals. The Games saw 46 meet records rewritten with another equalled as competitors showed true sporting spirit in striving to give their best performance to bring glory to their teams. No wonder IOA President Suresh Kalmadi described the Guwahati national Games as the "best ever". However, the bus accident involving 20 people, including 12 Services rowers, was an unfortunate incident to take place during the Games. Fortunately, all the competitors were out of danger. The weather, which was considered to be a concern in the lead-up, also co-operated to a large extent and only affected events on one day. The ceremony was filled with nostalgia as after having fought hard for glory in 32 disciplines spread across 17 venues for 1395 medals, including 425 gold, the over ten thousand competitors bid adieu to each other with the promise to meet again in Jharkhand in 2008 for the next edition of the Games.

Imphal, February 18: All Manipur Volleyball Assn will organise a trial programme at 8 am tomorrow at Khuman Lampak Outdoor Volleyball Court to select State (M& W) spikers for the 21st North East Sports Festival to be held at Gangtok. Intending players are informed to report to AMVA secretary Ng Inaocha Singh at the trial venue. Meanwhile, the first State Level Open Disability Sports Meet will be held on February 24 and 25 at Hao Ground, near Manipur College. According to a press release of all Manipur Disabled and Handicapped Persons Development Agency the sports meet would have competitions in long jump, discuss, 100 metres race, javelin, shot-put etc.