Mumbai, April 29: The rupee gained 12 paise to close at 54.25 against the US currency, on fresh selling of dollars by banks and exporters amid firm equity markets.

Persistent foreign capital inflows into equity markets amidst weakness of dollar overseas also supported the domestic currency, dealers said.

The rupee resumed higher at 54.35 per dollar as against the last closing level of 54.37 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) Market.

It hovered in a range of 54.21 per dollar and 54.39 per dollar before ending at 54.25 per dollar - a gain of 12 paise or 0.22 per cent.

Banks and exporters preferred to reduce their dollar position on the back of sustained foreign capital inflows into equity market coupled with weakness of dollar in the global market, a forex dealer said.

In the international market, the US dollar fell further in early trade on Monday, losing further steam in the wake of Fridays weaker-than-expected economic-growth number and caution ahead of what is expected to be a busy week of data and monetary-policy decisions.

The BSE benchmark Sensex recovered by 101 points or 0.52 per cent to finish at 19,387.50.

The premium for the forward dollar declined further on sustained receipts by exporters.

The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in September finished lower at 151-152 paise as against the last weekend's level of 154-1/2-156 paise and far-forward contracts maturing in March also ended down at 314-1/2-316-1/2 paise from 321-323 paise previously.

The Reserve Bank fixed the reference rate for the US dollar at 54.2770 and for the euro at 70.9030.

The rupee continued to remain weak against pound sterling and ended at 84.22 from the last 84.07 previously also fell against against the euro to 70.98 as against 70.70 on last Friday.

It finished lower against the Japanese yen to 55.49 per 100 yen from last weekend's level of 55.07.

Baghdad, April 29: Five car bombs exploded in predominantly Shiite cities and districts in central and southern Iraq on Monday, killing 26 civilians and wounding dozens.


The blasts come amid a week-long spike in sectarian violence following clashes at a Sunni protest camp in the north of the country.

No one has claimed responsibility, but coordinated bombings in civilian areas are a favorite strategy used by al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Two parked car bombs went off simultaneously Monday morning in the city of Amarah near a gathering of construction workers and a market, killing 13 civilians and wounding 42, according to police.

Another police officer said a parked car bomb exploded near a restaurant in the city of Diwaniyah, killing eight civilians and wounding 25 others.

At least three cars were seen charred and twisted outside a two-story building with a blast-damaged facade. Shop owners and cleaners were brushing debris off the bloodstained pavement.

Amarah, some 320 kilometres southeast of Baghdad and Diwaniyah, 30 kilometres south of the capital, are heavily Shiite and normally comparatively peaceful.

Hours later, another parked car bomb went off in the Shiite city of Karbala, killing two civilians and wounding 12 others, police said.

Two early Islamic figures revered by Shiites are buried in the city, about 90 kilometres south of Baghdad.

A parked car bomb ripped through a Shiite neighborhood in the otherwise predominantly Sunni town of Mahmoudiya, about 30 kilometres south of Baghdad, killing three and wounding 16, another police said.

Sectarian violence has spiked since Tuesday, when security forces tried to make arrests at a Sunni Muslim protest camp in the northern city of Hawija.

The move set off a clash that killed 23 people, including three soldiers.

Mumbai, April 29:Captain Rohit Sharma's scintillating batting made all the difference in the end as Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by a narrow four runs in a nail-biting Pepsi IPL clash in Mumbai on Monday.

Opting to bat, Sharma led from the front with a blistering unbeaten 79 off just 39 balls as Mumbai posted a challenging 174 for three before Punjab were bowled out for 170 in the match that went down the wire.

David Miller (56 off 34 balls) and later Praveen Kumar (24 off 15 balls) kept Punjab in the hunt till the end before the latter was out in the last ball of the innings in the match which kept the full-house crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on the edge of their seats throughout.

For Mumbai, Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed three wickets for 14 runs while Mitchell Johnson, Dhawal Kulkarni and Pragyan Ojha took two wickets each.

With their third straight victory and second at home, Mumbai remained firmly in the hunt for a berth in knock-out phase as they jumped to fourth place with 12 points from nine matches. Punjab are now on sixth spot with eight points from nine matches.

Chasing the big score, Punjab lost half their side before the score had reached 80 and were then all out for 170 despite a valiant attempt by Miller and a fighting knock by Praveen.

David Hussey, who captained Punjab after regular skipper Adam Gilchrist decided to sit out, made 34 in 18 balls before the left-handed Miller kept them afloat by cracking five sixes and one four in 34 balls.

Miller's late charge helped reduce the target to 37 in three overs before he was caught at short extra cover off the leading edge while trying to hoist Johnson for another leg side six when 26 were needed.

The last pair of Praveen, who struck two sixes and one four, and Parvinder Awana (0 not out) took the game to the last over before the former was caught by Sachin Tendulkar off Kulkarni off the last ball of the match.

A stunning catch inches inside the long on boundary by Kieron Pollard showcased MI's efficient fielding display.

Punjab began the run chase on the rear foot by losing the wickets of Mandeep Singh (9) and Manan Vohra (1) to Lasith Malinga and Johnson in the second and third over when the score had not reached 20 and it became a steeper climb for the visitors.

Opener Shaun Marsh (10), picked to play in place of captain Gilchrist, and Hussey flourished briefly in a third wicket stand of 39 before the lanky figure of Pollard plucked an impossible catch with a giant leap on the long-on rope to send back the former.

It would have been a sure six off left-arm spinner Ojha had any other fielder been stationed there.

Marsh was followed into the hut shortly by Hussey, who hit five fours and a six, and stumper Gurkeerat Singh Mann off Ojha and Harbhajan Singh respectively as the visitors plunged to a sorry 79 for five in the 10 over.

Though Miller attacked at one end, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals at the other.
Earlier, captain Rohit Sharma, who turns 26 on Tuesday, smashed a blistering unbeaten 79 off 39 balls to power Mumbai to 174 for three after opting to bat.

Sharma struck six sixes and as many fours in his knock to take Mumbai from 43 for two in the eighth over to a big score. Other significant contributors for Mumbai were Dwayne Smith (33), Dinesh Kartik (25) and Kieron Pollard (20 not out).

Sharma put on 43 runs for the third wicket with Smith and an 88 runs with Pollard for the unfinished fourth wicket. The highlight of his innings was the three sixes and two fours he hit in the final over bowled by Kings XI captain David Hussey who conceded 27 runs in that over

The best bowling effort for Kings XI came from Praveen Kumar (1 for 24) and Piyush Chawla (1 for 24).

Mumbai made a disastrous start with Sachin Tendulkar dragging a ball from Praveen Kumar on to his stumps in the third over. He made just nine with two fours, his fifth single digit score in the tournament in nine innings.

In-form batsman Dinesh Kartik eased the pressure by hitting Praveen for a four and a six in consecutive balls in the fifth over at the end of which MI were 28 for one.
At the end of the sixth and last power play over, Mumbai were 36 with Karthik and Dwayne Smith at the crease.

Karthik looked good for a big score before he too dragged the ball on to his stumps off Manpreet Gony after pulling the bowler for a four off the previous ball as MI were reduced to 43 for two in eighth over. Karthik's 25 came off 19 balls.

Smith, dropped on 13, struck Chawla for a mighty six but fell top-edging the leg-spinner. The West Indian made 33 in 32 balls with one six and three fours.

Sharma carted the expensive Gony for a four and a six in the 16th over to up the tempo. He then reached his fourth half ton of the T20 league with a superbly timed straight loft for his third six off Gony in 18th over.

Gony bowled Kieron Pollard in the same over but replays showed it was a no-ball and the West Indian survived.

MI added 73 runs in the last five overs, including 27 in the last over bowled by David Hussey who was struck for three huge sixes and two fours by Sharma.

Jaipur, April 29: Rajasthan Royals maintained their unbeaten record at home as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 4 wickets in their IPL 6 match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday.

With five runs needed off 5 balls, R Vinay Kumar clean bowled Brad Hodge off a slower delivery to tilt the match in RCB's favour.

Hodge hit 2 sixes and a four in his 32-run knock that came off 18 balls.

Owais Shah was run out while completing the second run as he failed to beat Virat Kohli's throw.

But Stuart Binny hit a four off the fifth ball to seal victory for Rajasthan Royals.
Shane Watson slammed a six and 3 fours in his 31-ball 41 before RP Singh had him caught by AB de Villiers.

Sanju Samson smashed 63 runs off 41 balls before falling to Ravi Rampaul.

Samson mistimed a slower delivery from Rampaul high up in the air for Murali Kartik to take the catch in the covers.

Samson's knock was studded with 2 sixes and 7 fours.

Samson hit a 32-ball half-century to steady Rajasthan Royals' run chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Moises Henriques clean bowled Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid off a slower delivery at the hosts lost their second wicket.

Dravid hit 4 fours in his 17-ball 22 before falling to Henriques.

Rajasthan run chase got off to a bad start as Ravi Rampaul had opener Ajinkya Rahane caught by RP Singh at fine leg.

Earlier, brisk knocks by Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen powered them to a formidable score of 171/6.

R Vinay Kumar smashed 3 sixes in his 6-ball 22 as birthday boy James Faulkner conceded 22 runs in his last over.

Moises Henriques hit a six and 2 fours in his 19-ball before he was run out.

Shane Watson took his third wicket when he had Ravi Rampaul caught by wicket-keeper Sanju Samson.

Shane Watson took his second wicket when he had Bangalore captain Virat Kohli caught by James Faulkner at long-on.

Kohli hit 3 fours in his 35-ball 32.

S Sreesanth had AB de Villiers caught by James Faulkner in the covers as Bangalore lost their third wicket.

Bangalore lost their second wicket when Abhinav Mukund (19) edged a Siddharth Trivedi delivery onto his stumps.

Chris Gayle smashed 34 runs off 16 balls before Shane Watson had him caught behind by Sanju Samson.

Gayle hit a six and 6 fours in his fiery knock.

The breakthroughs came after Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and chose to bowl against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Teams:

Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid (Capt.), Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, Owais Shah, Stuart Binny, Brad Hodge, Sanju Samson, James Faulkner, Ajit Chandila, Siddharth Trivedi, S Sreesanth.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (Capt.), Chris Gayle, Abhinav Mukund, AB de Villiers, Saurabh Tiwary, Moises Henriques, Ravi Rampaul, R Vinay Kumar, Murali Kartik, Rudra Pratap Singh, Jaidev Unadkat.

New Delhi, April 29: New Delhi on Monday asked Islamabad to consider the option of transferring Sarabjit Singh to India for better medical treatment.

India has also appealed to Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of Sarabjit Singh's case and release him.

News agency has reported that New Delhi has demanded that the attack on Sarabjit Singh be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be punished.

India has said that it is the responsibility of Pakistan government to ensure safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody.

Earlier, Pakistani officials today dismissed a report that a medical board was considering a proposal to send Sarabjit Singh abroad for better treatment who is in coma since the brutal assault in Kot Lakhpat Jail, last friday .

Sarabjit, 49, sustained several injuries, including a skull fracture, when six prisoners attacked him in Kot Lakhpat Jail and doctors said his chances of survival are slim.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani lawyer Barrister Zafarullah filed a petition today in the Lahore

Registry of the Supreme Court asking it to direct authorities to send Sarabjit to Britain for treatment.

The four-member medical board headed by Jinnah Hospital chief executive Mahmood Shaukat conducted a routine examination of Sarabjit on Monday morning, officials said.

They rejected a media report that the board was mulling a proposal to send Sarabjit abroad for treatment.

"No such proposal has been under consideration," an official of the health department of Punjab province said.

"In fact, the medical board has no mandate (to decide about sending Sarabjit abroad)," said the official, who did not want to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The medical board is "minutely monitoring the patient" and Sarabjit is being given the "best treatment" at Jinnah Hospital, the official said.

The members of the medical board Shaukat, Postgraduate Medical Institute principal Anjum Habib Vohra, Jinnah Hospital neuro department head Zafar Chaudhry and King Edward Medical University neuro-physician Naeem Kasuri see Sarabjit's case as "major neurosurgical challenge", the sources said.

Sarabjit, 49, sustained several injuries, including a skull fracture, when six prisoners attacked him in Kot Lakhpat Jail on Friday and doctors said his chances of survival are slim.

He was hit on the head with bricks and cut with sharp weapons.

He is in a deep coma and on ventilator support in an intensive care unit of Jinnah Hospital.

He was convicted of alleged involvement in a string of bomb attacks in Punjab province that killed 14 people in 1990.

His mercy petitions were rejected by the courts and former President Pervez Musharraf.

The outgoing Pakistan Peoples Party-led government put off Sarabjit's execution for an indefinite period in 2008.

Sarabjit's family says he is the victim of mistaken identity and had inadvertently strayed across the border in an inebriated state.

IMPHAL, April 29:  The Imphal Municipal Council has notified to all the general public that any persons/shopkeepers who throw or deposit litter on the road, lane, footpath, alley or passage, parks, garden, market, public courtyard etc. shall be imposed penalty under the provisions of Bye-Laws No.7 Shcedule I, "The lmphal Municipal Council, (Cleanliness & Sanitation) Bye-Laws 2011".

Further, it said that the shopkeepers/persons transacting their business in and around  Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar and B.T.Road are depositing/throwing litter on the plant/sapling planted on the roadside by the government and NGOs. "Such activities on the part of the concerned shopkeepers or persons shall be viewed seriously and dealt with in accordance with law while appealing tothe General public to inform the authorities of the Imphal Municipal Council of any persons/shopkeepers who deposit or throw litter on the plants grown on the street side ofThangal Bazar, Paona Bazar and B. T. Road, so that appropriate penalty may be imposed, against the offenders and to maintain a clean Imphal city," it said.

All the concerned person/shopkeepers who generate litter/garbage should deposit them to the solid waste collection vehicles operated by Imphal Municipal Councilor authorised NGOs of IMC without fail daily, the notification said.

LAMKA, April 29: Siamsinpawlpi (Paite Student Welfare Association), Mizoram branch had conducted their 'career guidance-cum conference program at  Mimbung Sialkal Tang, Mizoram,which is near  its border with Manipur,on the 25th  and 26th of April 2013

The big event  for the village was attended by 15 delegate from the general HQ of the SSPP and  was also attended by leaders from the Mizoram/ Aizawl  based Mizo Zilliai Pawl and and the Mizo Student Union (MSU)General  Headquarter.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Mizoram’s lone Paite Minister H Rohluna (Minister for Environment & Forest, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Mizoram) encouraged the students to work hard, and try to be the best in the respective chosen fields.

Lianzapau Samte, James Thanghmingmawia and Zodinpuia, the respective presidents of the Siamsinpawlpi G.HQ, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl G.HQ and the Mizo Students’ Union G.HQ , who all speak on the occasion stressed on the need to have clear goals and the importance of education to the participant.

Resolutions and Declarations expected to bring about far-reaching implications on the socio-economic conditions of the Sialkal Hill Range were passed during the Business Session of the Conference and 500 copies of a guideline book "The accademic handbook of Mizoram after 10+2'' edited bu  Lalhruaitluanga were also distributed, free of cost, during the two days program

A cultural nights during the conference saw a packed Mimbung Community Hall swaying to the beats of popular Paite as well as Mizo numbers.

IMPHAL, April 29: A press release of The Kuki Students' Organisation Chandel said that it has expressed its profound dissatisfaction over the function of almost all the Govt. Schools within its jurisdiction in Chandel District. As per the report found in most of the Govt. Schools, almost all the teachers have neglected heir duties. In this regard, a meeting of all the teachers, Head Masters/Headmistresses, and all the chiefs were held earlier and warned that an appropriate action should be initiated against all the defaulters under RTE. An appeal has also been made through the newspapers for many times to join or report to their respective posting places. Yet, most of the teachers are found adamant and never concerned about the appeal made by the students' body. Once again, the organisation appealed to report to their respective schools within 11th May, 2013.

However, any teachers found not complying with this request within the stipulated time, their name shall be published in the newspapers and any schools found not maintaining proper records and quality education, that school will be shut down and it will be the sole responsibility of the concerned authority for any untoward incidents arising out of this.

It expressed surprise that the school uniform under SSA meant for the students are yet to reach its destination while questioning What the concerned authority is still doing when a quarter of the academic session has been already over? It further appealed to the concerned authority to hand it over to the respective SMDCs in cash as per their allocation so that they can arrange according to the measurements of the students. In the past, the material has been randomly supplied in lieu of the cash where it does not serve the purpose meaningfully. The KSO-Chandel asserted that it will always strive for bringing quality and education for all.

IMPHAL, April 29: All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur has said in an statement that the period from the last May Day till now has been full of unprecedented events-nationally as well as Internationally. "United struggle and joint programs culminating in the historic, biggest ever General Strike of the Indian working class on the 20th & 21st  Feb, 2013, exhibited the determination of all sections of the working people to carry forward the united struggle with the massive participation of industrial workers, agricultural workers, millions of unorganised/informal workers including Anganwadi, Asha, domestic, midday meal women workers, most sections of the organized workers including those of Banks, Financial institutions, Public sector employees, Govt. employees, transport workers, defence employees, telecom and postal employees amongst others, it said.

The statement continued that the unity thus achieved in the rank and file of the working class of India amongst the central trade unions as well as independent unions will naturally be carried forward in the coming days and this is the call of the May Day – 2013

It informed that the 16th World Congress of the world Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) adopted 'Athens Pact' and gave a clarion call for decisive, unyielding trade union struggles against monopolies, unified in each country, industry, region; politicalization of trade union struggles with the objective of changing the co-relation of forces, with the perspective of defeating the slavery pursued by capitalism and imperialism; more co-ordinated struggles with other movements like peace movement, the youth movement and the women’s' movement etc; the progressive trade unions to take the role of rallying and mobilising for action and struggle of the working class and its allies.

It added that May Day is a day to plan for the rejuvenation of organization at all levels, national, state, district, industrial, unit lever and this has to be done more systematically, more enthusiastically and more seriously.

IMPHAL, April 29: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) presented two solar lighting equipments to the people of Kwatha, a village under Chandel district through the Village Chief N Kamal at his residence today.

Representatives of UCM led by its Vice President Chandramani Khumancha including Joychandra Konthoujam, Secretary General; W Bobby, Secretary Finance; Ng Deba, Secretary Information and Public Relations; RK Mangisana, Secretary Account; N Jiban, Secretary HR & LA; H Kumar, Member; and L Inaobi, Assistant Secretary Organization visited Kwatha Village and handed over the solar equipments today.

Speaking at the occasion, Chandramani Khumancha said that UCM has been visiting and studying the shortages in interior areas of the state. As a part of the initiative, the Committee is presenting solar lighting equipments to the people of Kwatha located at the remote area in Chandel district with an aim to bring about an equitable society.

The solar lamps will be fitted at the Haraobung and Community Hall of the area, he added and appealed to the concerned authority to look after the shortages of the village.

N Kamal appreciated UCM for showing affection to the people of Kwatha by presenting the solar lighting equipments and prayed that the committee may long live and prosper in the future.

In an interaction with IFP, Takhellambam Biren, President of the Kwatha People Welfare Organization who also attended the occasion expressed deep appreciation to UCM for its goodwill support and contributions for the people there.

New Delhi, April 29:The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended Convocation of Sido Kanhu Murmu University at Dumka on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion the President said India is in the process of fast and radical change, a process which is unstoppable. However, change is occurring at very different speeds in each segment of society. The complexity of the Indian society - as embodied in division and subdivision by geography, religion, caste, class, gender and employment- calls for a careful monitoring and deft steering of this process of change. The successful management of this change is the biggest challenge of our times. Our response to this challenge would determine the destiny of India as a nation.

The President said Sido Kanhu Murmu University is a tribute to two legendary freedom fighters from this region, Sido Murmu and Kanhu Murmu. They led the Santhal rebellion popularly known as ‘Santhal Hul’ in 1855 against the exploitation of the colonial rule. Their contribution to the nation would remain immortalized in the name of this University. It is now for this University to spread the message and values for which these great men struggled and made the supreme sacrifice.

The President said that in the world of globalization, universities are regarded as crucial national assets. Governments around the world have invested heavily in universities. They are seen as vital sources of new knowledge and innovative thinking, and as providers of skilled personnel with credible credentials. Besides, they are also acting as magnets of international talent and business investment into a region, as agents of social justice and mobility, and as resources of cultural and social vitality. Education is the prime mover of the progress of a country and India must invest in education, especially keeping in mind the demographic advantage it enjoys.

The President said that in his Address to the Nation on the eve of the last Republic Day, he had stated that it is time for the nation to reset its moral compass. He called upon those who educate and nurture the minds of the youth, and who wield a moral authority in the society to set this process in motion. He said our universities and academic institutions also have a responsibility to take the lead and impart education that would help us meet the moral challenge of our times. It must help in spreading the values of human dignity and equality in the society.

IMPHAL, April 29: The CAF & PD and Education Minister M Okendro Singh has assured that the demands of the students of Tamphasana Girls Higher Secondary School, the largest school for girls being run by the state government located in the heart of Imphal will be met.

According to a source, six representatives of the students ’ union met with Education Minister M Okendro Singh at around 1.30 p.m. During the meeting, the students again submitted their demands in the memorandum submitted on April 18. The Minister advised the student representatives to meet Ranjan Yumnam, Additional Director, Education (Schools) and submit their demands. Consequently, the students met with the Additional Director who will now submit a full report to the concerned Minister. It may be mentioned that students of the school have been demanding to appoint a regular Principal/Vice Principal, provide shortages of the laboratory, construct a toilet, extend the hostel, finish constructing the hall, provide an office room of the students’ union and girls’ common room. Earlier, various forms of agitations including locking down the school and wearing black badges were being taken up.

New Delhi, April 29: The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Arunachal Pradesh was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr.Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh,  Nabam
Tuki. The plan size has been agreed at Rs.3,700crore.

In his comments on the plan performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the State has done well and expenditure realisation is satisfactory. He said realisation during 11th five year plan was over 100 per cent. Achievement in flagship programmes also came up for special mention. Achievement in education especially in primary education was appreciated but attention was drawn to quality of education. The State was requested to focus on trained teachers.

The GSDP at constant (2004-05) prices of Arunachal Pradesh has increased by 70.18% from 2004-05 to 2012-13, while, the national GDP increased by 85.21% for the same period.The per capita NSDP at constant (2004-05) prices of Arunachal Pradesh has increased by 42.55% from 2004-05 to 2012-13 which is lower than the increase in national per capita NNI of 62.13% for the same period.

The State registered a GSDP growth of 9.4% (Agri 5.7%, Industry 13.9%, and Services 10.2%) during the 11th Plan against the growth target of 6.4% (Agriculture 2.8%, Industry 8% and Services 7.2%). The overall GSDP target for 12th Plan is 8.3% for the State (Agri 5.5%, Industry 9% and Services 10%). Ahluwalia said the Commission was aware of the need to further improve transportation facility in the border areas and it would be given special attention in the course of the year. He drew attention to the initiative of the Commission to bring flexibility in the centrally sponsored programmes to improve efficiency and asked the State to make suggestions in this regard.

The State should draw pragmatic strategies towards the dovetailing/resource convergence approach in order to utilize the fund to offer an impetus to further growth under agriculture and allied sectors.The development of irrigation facilities under the AIBP desires more cohesiveness in terms of incremental area gain for the net sown area in order to accelerate the area coverage in comparison to rain fed farming.

Attention was drawn to the varied range of tourist attraction in tribal lifestyle, heritage, eco-tourism, adventure tourism and wildlife tourism in addition to scenic landscape. The hidden tourism potentialities of the State is yet to be properly explored, exposed and presented to today’s travellers so as to generated better revenue and also for socio-economic growth of the state. The State was advised to incentivise private participation in PPP mode to fully exploit tourism potential.

The Chief Minister said that substantial growth has been recorded in revenue generation and additionalRs 350 crore were raised only through effective implementation. He said a number of austerity measures have been taken to improve fiscal health. These include ban on creation of new posts or purchase of new vehicles. He said master plan for agriculture development would be enforced shortly. He said a major effort to bring down AT&C losses is being put in place.

IMPHAL, April 29: The CPI/MSC has applauded the police personnel team who arrested commando personnel in two vehicles led by a Sub-inspector and a Jamadar at Moreh Commando Post at Pallel yesterday by stopping and frisking them while the team was trying to smuggle drugs containing pseudo-Ephedrine. Befitting legal actions should be taken up against the police personnel who were trying to smuggle drugs,  Dr. M Nara Singh, Ex-Minister who is also Secretary of Communist Party of India/Manipur State Council said while addressing a press meet at the office of CPI/MSC at Irabot Bhavan of Imphal.

He further said he felt unhappy that some personnel among the law keeping police force of the state have committed such a crime. The identities of all the personnel involved in the drug smuggling incident should be made public and befitting legal punishments should be taken up against all the commando personnel involved in the incident, he said.

On the other hand, CPI/MSC opposed the move by the state government to extend the term of service of the Chief Secretary which is to expire and said that the party will be against the move by the Government while asserting that the Senior most IAS officers of Manipur cadre just below him in rank should be promoted to the post of Chief Secretary.

The action taken up by the Election Commission of India against the MLA who won the elections on a Congress ticket from 27-Moirang Assembly Constituency has awakened the public of Manipur, he said while adding that furnishing wrong information in an affidavit submitted to ECI is a crime punishable with six months imprisonment under section 125 (A) of the Peoples’ representation Act, 1951. Adding that 'the criminal can be fined along with the imprisonment', he said that concerned officials should extend all possible support to expedite the actions being taken up by ECI.

IMPHAL, April 29: The 11 police personnel including a Sub Inspector and Jamadar of the Moreh commando arrested along with a huge consignment of RESPIFIED Tablets containing pseudoephedrine by a team of Thoubal commando yesterday were produced before the Chief judicial Magistrate Thoubal today under FIR number 62(4) 2013 Kakching police station under section 21/29 of the ND&PS Act and 27 Arms Act  and remanded to 8 days police custody till May 6.

A press release issued by Dr AK Jhalajit Superintendent of Police Thoubal said that yesterday Thoubal commandos conducted a search operation in front of the Pallel police station new building gate on the suspected vehicles which were plying on National highway number 2 on the Imphal-Moreh road under the supervision of Y Chandramani MPS Dy SP (operation) Thoubal and under the command of Inspector M Sudhir officer in charge commando unit, Thoubal. During the search operation, two white maruti Gypsy having occupants dressed in police uniform were seen coming from Imphal side toward Moreh at around 6 am and were stopped for checking in which course, some big bags were seen inside the vehicles in an unusual manner.

The SP press release further said that on verification it was found that the two Maruti Gypsy both in white colour belong to the Manipur Police commandos of Moreh post and the two police gypsy (one without registration) was occupied by Jamadar Heisnam Premananda, son of H Rupmohan of Iram Siphai Mamang Leikai along with five other security personal including the driver while the other police gypsy bearing registration number MN01X-3392 was occupied by SI Beishamayum Debson Singh and six security personnel. While checking the two police vehicles, one plastic gunny bag with “ Golden Singha" inscribed on it was found containing 4680 strips (ten tablets in each strips ) of Pseudoephedrine tablets marked as 'Respifed'  were found inside the police vehicle occupied by SI Debson of CDO unit Imphal East and now posted at Moreh. The check on the another police vehicle occupied by Jamadar Heisnam Premananda and his police party revealed two air bags: one olive green in color with “scope” and “indiana” marked on it and
containing 5880 strips (10 Tablets in each strip) of Respifed Tablets and the other deep purple in colour with “Star Bag” marked and containing 23 plastic packets of pseudoephedrine tablets were found, out of which 10 packets contained 26400 tablets each; 12 packets containing 18000 tablets each and one packet containing 21100 tablets were found.

The official release made available to the media today said that all of the police personnel have been formally arrested along with the illegal drugs which is reportedly is worth about Rs 3,64,02,000 (Three crores, sixty four lakhs  and two thousand) in the international market.

It said that on spot questioning of the two officers- Jamadar H Premananda and SI Debson revealed that the huge consignment of the tablets concealed in the bags were handed over to them by one Md Ali, son of Md Kasim alias Abo of Lilong Leihaokhong at Khongjom Patpal Lamkhai along national Highway number 2 at around 5 am yesterday morning for transporting and delivery of the said consignment to one of his associates of Md Ali at Moreh

The 11 state police personal arrested with the drugs according to sources are: S I Beishamayum Debson son of Deben of Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai CDO unit Imphal East now posted at Moreh; Junior Commision (JC) number 727 H Premananda son of H Rupmohan of Iram Siphai Mamang Leikai, 1st IRB attached to Thoubal commando now posted at Moreh; Constable number (C/No) 0908864 Sorensangbam Opendra Singh, son of Tomba of Kiyam Siphai Amureijam Leikai; C/No 0908519 Th Bijendro, son of Th. Jugeshor of Salungpham Mayai Leikai both of Thoubal district police attached to CDO Thoubal now posted at Moreh; CD/No 10D1289 Thanglenmang Thouthang, son of (L) Yamkhongam Touthang of Pallel H Kotlenphai Village; C/No 0915517 Maibam Henik, son of Nongthon of Naharup Mayai Leikai; C/No 0915126 Ngangom Premjit, son of Ng Khomei of Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai; C/No 0915555, Ningthoujam Surkumar son of N Gopal of Khongman Mayai Leikai all of  Imphal East district police attached to CDO Imphal East now posted at Moreh;  Rifleman number 01
2006123 Soram Ranbir of 7th Manipur Riffles attached to Imphal east CDO now posted at Moreh and Riflemen number 132001243, Ningthoujam Nilamani, son of Basanta of Phayeng Mayai Leikai.

IMPHAL, April 29: The proscribed outfit United National Liberation Front, Manipur has claimed in a statement that yesterday’s bomb blast near the Ngariyan village along the Yairipok Andro road was an attack upon the Assam Rifles which was carried out by a small demolition group of the outfit.

The outfit has claimed that a truck of the AR was damaged in the attack and two personnel including a Subedar were injured.

While claiming that several groups of the MPA of the UNLF is spread across the state both in the hills and the valley to attack security forces, the statement has appealed to the general public to distance themselves from the security forces and not to move close to the security forces.

The statement has further said that the Indian government has distributed funds through the Manipur government officials and encouraging the formation of commando battalions in a bid to wage war amongst the people.

In such a scenario, people have forgotten that all the torture and atrocities committed on the public are by the security forces and as such people has started considering the atrocities as consequences of the revolutionary movement, it claimed.

IMPHAL, April 29: As a part of observing its silver jubilee for a whole year on account of turning 25 years of its existence, theWriters’ Forum, Imphal (WFI) along with the Manipur State Kala Academy is going to organize the Manipuri Sahitya competition and General Knowledge quiz competition including radio drama, cinema, song programs for students of XI and XII standards on April 30, 2013 at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound.

Informing this in a statement, WFI said the prizes for the written competition will be Rs 1000, Rs 800 and Rs 500 for first, second and third position respectively. The prizes for the oral competition will be Rs 5000 for first position, Rs 4000 for second and Rs 2000 for third. The 3 consolation prizes will be of Rs 800 each, the release said.

IMPHAL, April 29: An active cadre of the Kangleipak Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has been arrested by a combined team of Imphal West and East commandos today at around 1.30 pm along with one Gloke 17 9mm pistol with magazine and 9 live rounds.

The said cadre was later paraded before the media in a press conference held at the Imphal west commando complex today evening.

Speaking to the media, S Ibomcha Deputy Superintendent of Police Imphal West commando (operations) said that based on reliable information, a combined team of Imphal West and Imphal East commandos under his supervision conducted a cordon and search operation at Awang Leikenthabi under Sekmai Police station in Imphal West and arrested the said active worker of KYKL identified as Maibam Ibomcha (38), son of M Angou of Sagolmang Mamang Leikai.

Ibomcha was arrested near 'Birbal workshop' in Awang Leikenthabi Leikai and following his disclosure the Ibomcha combined commando team recovered the Gloke 17 9 mm pistol along with magazine and 9 live rounds from his residence at Sagolmang Mamang Leikai, the DSP said.

He further said that Ibomcha also disclosed that he along with one Mayanglangbam Ibomcha alias Sankar (29) of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai had lobbed a chinese hand grenade on April 25 at the rented house of Wahengbam Manibabu (75) of Wahengbam Leikai following a monetary demand as per directed to them by Self style Captain Loktangbam Dinesh alias Tompok Meitei (35) son L Hemchandra Meitei of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak.

The DY SP also said that the arrested person further disclosed that as directed by the SS Captain Dinesh, he along with Sankar tried to enter the Mother Care Hospital located at Sagolband Moirang Leirak Machin to threaten its closure for not fulfilling the monetary demand served by them.

He also said that the two were directed by the SS Captain to enter the house of one Angou of Kwakeithel Tourist bus owner, Lamphel Pharmacy, Langol View clinic, Maipakpi Maternity Hospital for extortion.

The accomplice in the said cases, Mayanglambam Ibomcha alias Sankar (29) of Heirangoithog Maibam Leikai is still at large, he said.

IMPHAL, April 29: Students of the Mongkot Chapu High school today staged a protest in the school premises against the appointment of the new Head master of the High school above the local Headmaster in charge calling for the withdrawal of the appointment order of the new head master at Litan Mongkot Chepu under Ukhrul district.

The students of school stage a protest held banners and placards written with 'Do not Change our local head master', 'no welcome for newcomer headmaster' and 'we want administration from the a local leaders to improve our education' among others.

Speaking to the media, one of the students of the High school said that TH Kamkhothang, the head master in charge of the High school has been running the school from the year 2009 for the welfare of the school and its students including hiring three teachers from his own pocket for the vacant post of teachers of Biology, Physics and Maths subject.

He also said that when TH Kamkhothang was appointed as the Head master in charge, there were only 37 students in the school from class 1 to 10 but following his hard work and dedication, the numbers of student increased upto 300 this year.

He alleged that the newly appointed Headmaster had come to the school some one month back just for a day to the school and not turned up at the school till last week when he came back with an order of appointment as the head master of the school.

He continued saying that the students of the school are against the new headmaster and said that if the government failed to take back order back, then the students will boycott their school classes.

Rome, April 28: Two policemen were wounded in a shooting outside government offices in Rome on Sunday, just as the country's new coalition cabinet was being sworn in.


The incident occurred about a kilometre away from the presidential palace where Prime Minister Enrico Letta and his ministers took the oath of office.

Italian news agency ANSA said two policemen were wounded, one in a critical condition, adding that the shooter was also injured, and has been arrested.

The swearing in of the government should bring fresh hope to a country mired in recession after two months of bitter post-election deadlock watched closely by European partners.

Letta was the first to take the oath of office at a ceremony led by President Giorgio Napolitano, who appointed him after the centre-left won February elections but without the majority needed to govern.

The 46-year-old, one of the European Union's youngest prime ministers, is expected to unveil his programme in a parliamentary session on Monday, before the government is put to a confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday.

The deadlock had thwarted efforts to end the worst recession in Italy in 20 years, and Letta has said he wants to move quickly to tackle unemployment -- currently 11.6 per cent -- and boost growth.

New Delhi, April 28: Delhi University has announced the approval of a slew of courses, including English, Hindi and Modern Indian Languages for the new four year degree programme.

The Faculty of Arts at its meeting on Friday approved multiple courses under 13 departments including Urdu, Arabic, Psychology, Philosophy, and Linguistics among others, a statement issued by the university said.

"With this approval, barring four departments, all courses of studies in respect of all departments of all faculties stand approved for submission to the Academic Council. These (remaining) four courses are expected to be approved in the next few days," DU Registrar Alka Sharma said.

Several courses including Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Economics and Political Science have already been approved by their respective departments for the four-year degree programme which will be implemented from this year.

The programme, with multiple degree options ranging from an associate baccalaureate in two years, will entail a shift from the present 10+2+3 scheme to a four-year graduation with multiple exit points.

New Delhi, April 28: Amid concerns over faulty monitoring of the ambitious Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) subsidy prog, the govt has called district magistrates of all the 121 targeted districts to New Delhi on Monday, to discuss ways to address hitches that may have been detected.

The meeting to review the progress of DBT, which is tipped to be UPA's flagship programme for the next Lok Sabha polls, will be addressed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

At the meeting, feedback would be sought from the DMs particularly of 43 districts where the scheme is operational since 1st January.

DMs of other 78 districts, where the scheme is to be rolled out on 1st July, are expected to report the progress made in groundwork done for the launch.

The meeting has been convened to ensure "glitch-free" implementation of the programme which is expected to cover one-fifth of the country.

The meeting will take place against the backdrop of concerns expressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the "unsatisfactory nature of tracking and monitoring systems" in various departments.

The Prime Minister, while reviewing the implementation of the scheme at a high-level meeting here earlier this month, had observed, "We have also run into difficulties that we had not anticipated when we began the programme. We must, therefore, renew our efforts for successful implementation of the programme."

Subsequent to the meeting held by the PM, Pulok Chatterji had asked all ministries concerned to put in place a robust tracking system to assess coverage of the ambitious subsidy programme in terms of volume and value.

Chatterji had written to secretaries, emphasising the need for digitisation of databases and re-engineering of funds flow to ensure transfer of funds to beneficiaries and real-time monitoring. He asked the departments to pay "particular attention" to the activities which are on the "critical path" for the rollout of Phase-II when 78 districts would be covered in addition to the 43 already covered in Phase-I.

Chatterji listed the activities as digitisation of beneficiary database, instructions on rollout of Phase-II, completing the process of re-engineering for DBT funds flow and monitoring the rollout. With regard to monitoring, Chatterji had emphasised that "each department must, therefore, put in place a robust monitoring system that can monitor coverage of beneficiaries and the transfers that are taking place, both in volume and value."

In the second phase, the DBT will also cover domestic cooking gas (LPG) in 20 districts by 15th May, in addition to 26 scholar schemes. LPG consumers will get about Rs 4,000 per annum in cash from the government, and they will have to then buy LPG at market price of Rs 901.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder.

Chennai, April 28: Chennai Super Kings continued their domination defeating Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. Michael Hussey set up the match for CSK with a heroic 95 that saw CSK post a massive 200, a total that proved 14-runs too many for KKR.
Chasing 201, KKR got off to a flier scoring 18 runs off the first over bowled by Dirk Nannes. Gautam Gambhir (14) hit Chris Morris for two boundaries, before the bowler came back strong to castle his leg stump. Manvinder Bisla looked in ominous mood smashing Morris for four boundaries in the fifth over. Mohit Sharma had Brendon McCullum (6) play on to his stump to give CSK their second wicket.

Jacques Kallis was given a reprieve when he was put down on 6 by Suresh Raina off Ravichandran Ashwin. Bisla launched Ashwin for a huge six as KKR were 85 for 2 from 10 overs, still needing 116 runs.

Dwayne Bravo sent back Kallis (19) in the 13th over when the South African attempted to paddle one to fine leg, but gave the fielder stationed there a catch. Bisla continued to keep KKR in the chase with consecutive boundaries off Ashwin. Needing 75 from 30 balls, Ashwin dropped Morgan, who then slammed Dirk Nannes for a six. Nannes' 18th over was take apart for 21 runs to keep KKR’s hopes alive. Hussey ran out Bisla (92) to leave KKR needing 19 from the final over. But Chris Morris bowled a brilliant last over – conceding only four runs.

Earlier KKR won the toss, and surprisingly chose to field – surprising because the conditions were very trying. CSK started aggressively as Hussey dismissed Lakshmipathy Balaji for three boundaries in the third over. Wriddhiman Saha joined in with two boundaries and a six off Mohammad Shami. Hussey continued the onslaught with consecutive boundaries off Sunil Narine. CSK took apart Kallis' first over for 18 runs as they raced to 67 for 0 from their power play overs. Hussey slammed Kallis over the mid-wicket fence in the 8th over as he brought up his fourth fifty of the tournament.

Rajat Bhatia broke the century opening stand having Saha (39) caught in the deep by Eoin Morgan. Raina continued from where Saha left off, hitting Narine for a six and a boundary in the 14th over. Hussey (95) bludgeoned Yusuf Pathan for a massive six before holing out, off Narine to fall five short of a century. MS Dhoni (18*) and Raina kept the run rate up with regular hits to the fence. Raina (44) was run out by Debabrata Das in the 19th over. MS Dhoni finished the innings in style as he dispatched the final delivery of the innings for a six. CSK eventually finished at 200 for 3.

Man-of-the-Match: Michael Hussey

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 200 for 3 (Michael Hussey 95, Rajat Bhatia 1-31) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders 186 for 4 (Manvinder Bisla 92, Mohit Sharma 1-23) by 14 runs.

Raipur, April 28: Delhi Daredevils won the 'Battle of Minnows' as they defeated Pune Warriors by 15 runs in the Twenty 20 League at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Sunday.

Needing 165 to win, Warriors could manage only 149 for four despite a 76-run opening stand between Aaron Finch (37) and Robin Uthappa (37) at the newly built swanky Shahid Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.

This was Daredevils' second win in nine matches and they climbed a place higher from their usual last spot to be placed eighth in the nine-team table. The win also technically kept them in the hunt for a place in the knock-outs.

The Warriors, who have had an equally disastrous campaign, now languish at the bottom after their seventh defeat.

Umesh Yadav bowled a brilliant 18th over in which he dismissed Yuvraj Singh (31) and Luke Wright (19), giving away just two runs.

The over turned out to be the 'Game-Changer' as Warriors lost out despite two half-century partnerships.

Finch and Uthappa matched each other stroke for stroke as the Daredevils pace quartet of Irfan Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Ashish Nehra and Morne Morkel provided with at least one 'boundary-ball' per over.

Not only did the two burly openers hit a flurry of fours but shoddy fielding helped them to take the ones and twos liberally.

The 50 came off 6.3 overs without much difficulty. The sense of purpose seemed to be lacking in Delhi bowlers as none of them bowled well enough to get a breakthrough.

If Umesh drifted on the pads, Pathan lack of pace became his undoing. Similarly, for Morkel, the batsmen used his extra pace while Nehra gave too much width.

At the halfway stage, Warriors had knocked off 75 runs before Pathan provided with twin strikes in the 11th over.

The first one was more of a fielder's wicket as Pathan bowled a poor delivery on Uthappa's pads and the Coorgi flicked it only to find Unmukt Chand taking a fine catch at deep backward square leg. Uthappa scored 37 off 33 balls with four boundaries.

Jaipur, April 27: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson missed out on his second hundred by two runs but his blazing unbeaten knock powered Rajasthan Royals to a thumping eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL match, in Jaipur.

Chasing a modest 145-run target, the hosts romped home with 2.1 overs to spare as Watson scored a 53-ball 98, laced with 13 fours and four sixes.

Hyderabad had overcome a disastrous start to post 144 for nine after Caribbean batsman Darren Sammy played a heroic 60-run knock and shared a crucial 58-run stand with Amit Mishra (21) for the seventh wicket.

Rajasthan left-arm paceman James Faulkner (5/20) stood out with a five-for after Hyderabad elected to bat.

The hosts lost Ajinkya Rahane (1) and were cautious till the half-way mark as they reached 53 for one in 10 overs.

However, Watson opened his arms to good effects after that and sent Hyderabad bowlers to a leather hunt.

It all started in the 11th over when both Watson and skipper Rahul Dravid hit spinner Amit Mishra for a six each, collecting 17 runs from the 11th over.

Dravid however, could not last long as he holed out to deep mid-wicket while attempting to send a Thisra Perera delivery out of the park.

Dravid scored a 35-ball 36.


It was a Watson show after that. Rajasthan needed 64 runs after Dravid's dismissal and Watson scored 56 of them.

The burly Australian hammered paceman Ishant Sharma for three fours and then closed the 15th over with a massive six over long-on, collecting 20 runs for his side.

The onslaught continued and the next victim of Watson's fury was Perera, who was hit for three boundaries, including a six.

These two overs turned the tide in the favour of the hosts as Hyderabad seemed to have made a fight out of it

IMPHAL, April 28: A press conference of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights (CSCHR) in Manipur and the UN held at Hotel Classic briefed media persons on the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (UNSRVAW) to Imphal and the subsequent consultative meeting with representatives of civil society organizations, women human rights, victims and other advocates working on violence against women.

Dr Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, the convenor of the Coalition said that the meeting was attended by over 200 delegates and family members of victims of violence from all over the North East region and West Bengal. "International organizations and national NGOs such as the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) and Child Rights and You (CRY) also attended the meeting," he said.

Rashida Manjoo, the UNSRVAW had earlier accepted an invitation sent on March 13 from the coalition to visit Manipur and the North East region during her mission to the country.

"40 separate depositions were made in the meeting including testimonies from women who have faced forced evictions, sustained community and domestic violence and also sharing from the families of victims of state abetted violence," Debabrata Roy said, adding that the consultation today was the largest such consultation convened by the UNSRVAW during her current mission to India.

The meeting was moderated by Jarjum Ete, Secretary of the National Alliance of Women (NAWO) and former Chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Women’s Commission he said.

Briefing the media on her reactions and statements, Debabrata Roy said that Rashida Manjoo had said, “The death of a woman is not a new act, but the ultimate act in the continuum of violence in the life of the woman.”

The mother of late Thangjam Manorama while appealing for justice for her daughter who was brutally tortured and raped by personnel of the Indian paramilitary force, Assam Rifles before she was killed and her dead body abandoned in a field wept during the course of the deposition and the Special Rapporteur wept with Thangjam Manorama’s mother, he added.

The CSCHR submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the UNSRVAW titled “Manipur: Perils of War and Womanhood” giving a detailed information on various forms of violence against women in Manipur, including the genesis of its swift escalation since the 50s and included several recommendations, added Debabrata Roy.

During the consultation Babloo Loitongbam reiterated the lonely 13 years fast of Irom Chanu Sharmila for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) and raised the point that many UN treaty body mechanisms and other Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns have called for its repeal.

Additionally, Irom Chanu Sharmila also submitted a hand-written letter to the UNSRVAW through her elder brother said Babloo Loitongbam, Director of Human Rights Alert and a constituent member of the coalition. He added that the UN Security Officer accompanying the UNSRAW had made   attempts to meet Irom Sharmila during her visit to Imphal, but the permission to meet her did not materialize. Copies of the hand written note given by Irom Sharmila to the UNSRVAW which were circulated to the media pointed out that the people of Manipur had been impacted by the draconian AFSPA. She noted that her forced nasal feeding was being done at the expense of huge public funds and that the forced feeding was a measure to suppress her voice and the truth.

Rashida Manjoo, in her closing remarks said that it was not her mandate to comment on the depositions made before her, and that her report will be based on facts. She also said that her opinions and conclusions as an independent expert were hers alone, that these would not be changed or shaped by any influence, whether from government or any others.

Adding that the UNSRVAW will be holding a national press conference on Wednesday, 1st May 2013 in New Delhi, Babloo also appealed to the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union to facilitate media attendance of the said conference. Mention may be made that two earlier UN Special Rapporteurs had not been allowed to visit Manipur.

IMPHAL, April 28: The Manipur State Legal Services Authority has said in a press release that it organized a Lok Adalat on April 28 at Cheirap Court Complex during which 152 cases were put up concerning compoundable electricity theft cases and 54 cases were listed concerning Motor Vehicle Insurance claims cases relating to the United India Insurance Co. Ltd.

Three benches of Lok Adalat were constituted for the purpose of hearing and disposing the cases, it said.

It further said that members constituting the benches are Bench No.1 Shri M. Manojkumar Singh, Addl. Dsitrict & Sessions Judge, Manipur East, Shri Ch. Momon Singh, Advocate Km. L. Rebeda Devi, Advocate while Bench No.2 had S Imocha Singh, Addl. Dsitrict & Sessions Judge, Manipur West. P Tomcha Meitei, Advocate, K Manorama Devi Advocate and Bench No.3 had Kh. Gomati Devi, Retd. Dsitrict & Sessions Judge,Manipur West. L Bijoy Singh, Advocate, M. Bahadur Singh, Advocate,

It continued that The Lok Adalat settled 152 cases in total and there were 54 cases pertaining to motor vehicle insured claims out of which, 30 cases were disposed off in the sitting.

A total amount of Rs. 45,94,000/· was awarded as compensation and the highest compensation awarded in case of death was Rs.9,00,000/· and that of injury Rs. 6,00,000/·which are record award amounts in Manipur till date, it said adding that there were 122 electricity related cases disposed off and a total amount of Rs.2,55,500/· being collected as fines during the course of the sitting.

IMPHAL, April 28: MLA Langthabal Karam Shyam today assured all possible assistance in the future to the Manipur Library Association (MALA) with an eye to improving the condition of the Association.

The MLA who is also a member of MALA was speaking at the 26th Annual general body meeting of the association cum 2nd M Anandamohan memorial lecture under the theme “Role of media in Knowledge based society” at the Manipur Dramatic Union at Yaiskul today.

Addressing the function, the MLA lamented that the reading habits of the people of the state have dwindled in the recent times thereby adversely affecting the condition of libraries in the state.

He continued that library culture should be encouraged as it helps in preserving and maintaining books both old and new and helps people fulfill their reading habits.

He said libraries should also be encouraged for the benefits of the future generation.

Natasha Elangbam Head of Department, Mass Communication of Manipur University delivering a lecture on “Role of Media in Knowledge Based Society" said, “In the present era, both control and fast dissemination of information are been provided by technological advancement. The media has been playing a great role but the need of the hour is to create a knowledge-based society”, she said.

While print and electronic media encompasses more of information, the stress should be on accommodating knowledge for the public, she said before adding that the print media serves as a viable vehicle for the creation and spread of knowledge but the electronic media has yet to catch up on this front.

Speaking at the function W Mera Singh, Deputy Director, Arts and Culture said Anandamohan was an intellect and the first librarian of the state.

He said that during his life time he had contributed a lot in the movement for the upliftment of library in the state.

IMPHAL, April 28: Two months after the arrest of Colonel Ajay Choudhary, PRO of Indian Army along with 5 persons by a team of Thoubal police near the Pallel commando post under Pallel police station in Thoubal district on February 24 with a huge consignment of tablets containing pseudoephedrine along National Highway number 2 on the Imphal-Moreh route, 11 state police personnel including a Sub Inspector and a Jamadar attached to the Moreh commando post have been arrested by a team of Thoubal police commandos alongwith contraband drugs.

The said police personnel were reportedly in full police uniform and carried their service weapons while they were traveling in two white colour gypsys, one without a registration number and another with registration number (MN01X-3392).

They were heading towards Moreh along with two airs bag and one gunny bag of Respifed tablets containing Pseudoephedrine when the Thoubal police commandos stopped them near the new police gate under Pallel police station under Thoubal district, sources said.

All the 11 police personnel along with the SI and the Jamadar along with the tablets have been arrested by the Thoubal police and all their weapons along with the vehicles (gypsy) have been seized and kept in police custody.

However, police personal of Thoubal district declined to give any details about the names of the arrested police personnel.

It is likely that the Superintendent of police, Thoubal will address a press conference tomorrow regarding the arrest of the state police personal along with drugs today.

JIRIBAM, April 28: The Joint Civil Society Organization and Student Organizations of the sub division has appealed to withdraw the blockade being imposed along the Jiribam-Imphal road on or before April 29. The two bodies have said that the blockade being imposed along NH-37 has affected the people of Jiribam in particular most severely. "As Jiribam is under Imphal East District,  people of Jiribam have to go Imphal for all purposes. The blockade will cause inconveniences to the candidates who are going to appear in the written test to be held on May 1for recruitment of Manipur police constable and in various interviews," it said.

The two bodies have  appealed to all concerned to lift the blockade being imposed along Jiribam-Imphal road on or before April 29 while drawing the attention of the state government to look into the matter failing which the two organizations have threatened to impose a counter blockade from April 30 onwards.

IMPHAL, April 28: Two security personnel were wounded when an AR convoy was attacked with an IED being exploded today around 6.00 p.m. at Ngarian Muslim village five kilometres away north – west of Yairipok Police Station of Thoubal District

This is the second such major attack on security personnel after an earlier  attack on CRPF personnel near Sekmai Police Station and officials of State Public Works Department (PWD) escorted by 8th MR near Khudengtabi AR post along National Highway 2 on April 21.

According to a source, personnel of 40th AR posted at Andro were returning to their post in a Maruti Gypsy and a Truck with the truck at the rear when they were attacked with two improvised explosive Devices planted at the roadside being exploded consecutively. The explosions took place when the gypsy of the convoy went past the culvert on the edge of Ngarian Muslim village and when the truck at the rear reached the culvert .

The spot where the attack occurred is reportedly very near to the VDF post at the top of Ngaraian hill and os one kilometre away from Ngarain corner. The security personnel wounded by splinters of the bomb are identified as Subedar NN Pande (SS) of Uttarakhand and Rifleman Md. Zakir Hussain (36), of Tripura.

NN Pande was wounded by the splinter of the bomb in the leg while Md Zakir Hussain was injured on his hand. The two injured were rushed to the community health centre at Yairipok and treated for their injuries. However their condition were not critical and they were later taken to the Military Unit Hospital of Leimakhong after first aid was administered to them.

In the attack, the tyres of the truck of the AR personnel was punctured and the truck was damaged. On hearing the news about the incident, a police team led by Inspector Ranbir, officer-in-charge of Yairipok Police Station rushed to the scene of the incident and inspected the area. There is no report of arrest so far.

JIRIBAM, April 28: Four laborers of the Coastal Project Limited, a firm undertaking construction of tunnels for the railway project who were kidnapped earlier were released safely at a place near the Jiri bazaar at around 5 a.m. The construction work of the railway project was in full in swing day and night with the Railway Ministry giving work tenders to different companies to construct the railway line from Jiri to Tupul when around well armed 15 persons kidnapped them on April 23 at around 10.40 while they were working at Tunnel no. 2 at Thingtupung Area of railway line. Considering that they might have been taken to  various places of villages under Tousem police station, the Jiri police including commando conducted search operations.

A spokesperson of coastal project has further disclosed that the construction work might be withdrawn at any time as UGs demand for a huge amount of money and kidnapping cause inconveniences to the companies working at the railway line construction from Jiri to Tupul.

He continued that UGs could kidnap anyone associated with the project as security measures were not taken up at the work site and the camp area while expressing dissatisfaction over the security arrangement made by the State government.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that security measures have not been taken up at the area where the work is in full swing day and night due to inadequate manpower of security in the area which is highly sensitive and where various UGs are reportedly operating.

In the past few days, about 100 laborers have fled while earlier, about 1000 laborers worked day and night  There are now concerns that if laborers continue to flee, the project come come to a standstill.

The 3.2 k.m. long tunnel of  No-1 of Railway project whose dateline was postponed many times began on March 17, 2011 but 646 m is yet to be completed as of now.

Of 29 tunnels in total, a 9.9 k.m. long tunnel No. 28 will be the longest tunnel.

IMPHAL, April 28: A legal awareness program on violence against women was organized by the All India Women’s Conference, Manipur State Branch Imphal on April 24 at Laphupat Tera Community Hall at Imphal West – Manipur under the sponsorship of All India Women’s Conference, New Delhi.

Villagers including students, local women activists and youth leaders, aged persons participated in the one day awareness program.

The program was attended by former Minister, H Kangjamba Singh as the Chief guest, H. Subita Devi, Advocate as the Guest of honour and Kh Chandra Singh, Ex-Joint Director (Fishery), as President of the function respectively.

During the program, many resource persons delivered and presented papers on the Legal Protection Act.

K Binapani Devi   President, AIWC, Manipur  emphasized that education is the only means to empower women.

She further appealed to the man to treat woman as their mother and creator of human beings on earth.

“Such forms of violence, killing, rape are very shameful”.

IMPHAL, April 28: While appreciating the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) for producing text books in time for the academic session 2013, the All Manipur Students Guardian Organization (AMSGO) expressed its desire for the BSEM and the printing presses involved to improve the quality of the texts books today.

Addressing media persons at its office today, S Sumati secretary  AMSGO said the association has found that the print and cover quality of the text books are below par and cutting have not been done properly.

She continued that the ink was not upto the standard and several ink smudges were found in the books.

Displaying a book before media persons, she lamented that the binding was also not proper and showed that the pages were about to fall.

"The printing press are urged to have some concern without thinking of much commercial benefits in printing text books," she added.

She then appealed the private schools to stop adding extra books over and above the syllabus prescribed by BSEM. Such addition of extra books gives more stress to the students and adversely affects both the brain and the body of the children, she expressed.

Instead of suppressing those who could not receive formal education but needs certificates, BSEM and government should arrange open or private examination so that they can gain from such endeavors, she added.

The state need to provide inclusive education for the players who could not appear matriculation exams due to their sports schedule, Sumati continued.

She further mulled the idea of a new skill test for the BSEM to conduct from the current year to allow such students to appear for their respective exams without any hindrance.

Meanwhile, touching upon the issue of transportation of school students, Sumati appealed to the transporters to carry students according to the prescribed seat capacity and not to overload their vehicles.

She viewed that overcrowding inside their transportation wears off the students and affects their interest in their studies. She further called on the van drivers to make some sacrifices as part of a larger movement to bring quality education in the state and appealed to the other students’ parents’ organization to look into the issue to bring about a better society.

The press briefing was also attended by N Chaoba Singh, H Borbabu, Kh Mahendra, and O Yaima Singh who are the Woking President, Treasurer, Executive Member, and General Secretary respectively of AMSGO.

IMPHAL, April 28: All Manipur Manpower Upliftment Centre has said in a press release that May Day which is International Workers' Day commemorating the historic struggle of working people throughout the world will be held in Manipur while expressing apprehension about exploitation and oppression of have nots by the haves, abuse of resources etc.

It continued that it is deeply concerned about the issue and problems of the poor, peasants and labourers while decrying the shrinking areas of paddy fields where schools, IOC pumps, brick field etc were being set up. It also lamented the fate of people living around the Loktak lake.

IMPHAL, Apr 28: Amidst the indefinite bandh called by the three different Zeliangrong organizations since April 21, a convoy of 27 loaded oil tankers arrived today at Imphal with the Government of Manipur detailing state and central Para-military forces (CPMF) since April 27 to discharge ROP duty for movement of oil tankers along National Highway No 2 (Imphal – Dimapur).

The loaded tankers which arrived late morning included nine diesel tankers, three Kerosene/oil tankers, two air transport fuel (ATF) tankers and 13 petrol tankers,.

According to a source, the 27 loaded tankers which arrived today are besides the 69 tankers which had reached Imphal yesterday. The source further added that 86 empty oil tankers which left Imphal will reach Khatkhati, Tinsukia and Numaligarh and then set out for Imphal after loading fuel.

LAMKA, April 28: Five persons of a marriage party were electric shocked yesterday at Mission Veng, Hiangtam lamka, CCpur.

All five who were rushed to the CCpur District Hospital were however revived by the doctors.

The five are identified as Chingbiak (16) daughter of Thanghau of Damkam Bazar, New Lamka, CCpur; Nemngaihkim (15), daughter of Thanghau of Damkam Bazar; Miss Mary (16), daughter of Paukhanlian of Zion Veng, New Lamka; Lianlaljohn (19), son of (L) Biaklal of SA Road; Nanau (20), son of (L) Ginhauthang of Mission Veng, Hiangtam Lamka.

The incident occurred yesterday around 4pm in the evening when a bus bearing regd no MN 01/0925 carrying people for a marriage struck a low wiring high tension wire at Mission Veng area of Hiangtam Lamka.

Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer of the Churachandpur Electric department who is presently at Imphal has assured to look into the matter, however the locals have loss confidence and have lamented that several previous complaints have always been neglected with excuses.

A local resident who identified himself as Muathang said that at the most, when the electricity comes on, the locality are hardly able to utilize the power due to the low voltage and as such people have to use kerosene and candles to keep their homes lighted up in Lamka particularly at Mission Veng.

Due to the low voltage of the power supply the people are unable to watch TV or use any other electric appliances, he expressed.

Many people at the incident site said that they were all the more angry due to the fact that the electric which come rarely had come on only to result in the accident.

KANGPOKPI, April 27: The Chief Justice of Manipur High Court Abhay Manohar Sapre visited the Court of Judicial Magistrate I Class, Kangpokpi today morning with his better half.

The Chief Justice was accompanied by Law Secretary Ramesh Chandra; Justice N Kotiswar; District and Session Judge Manipur West Salam Mocha; Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice, concerned officials, ADC Kangpokpi DK Thangboi, Addl SP Kangpokpi Zakir and other high ranking officers during the visit.

The visiting team led by the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court was accorded a warm welcome by the Kangpokpi Town Committee and Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization at the Court premises.

The Chief Justice AM Sapre inspected the condition of the Court of Judicial Magistrate I Class Kangpokpi and assured to help meet all the court’s requirement and fulfill its mission.

“I am coming here upto your doorstep to find out the requirements of the Court," said the Chief Justice to Ningthoujam Lanleima, the Judicial Magistrate I Class, Kangpokpi.

Meanwhile the Chief Justice was informed that some of the JMIC, Kangpokpi staff including its Judicial Magistrate I Class N.Lanleima herself traveled at least 45 Km every day to attend their duty at Kangpokpi from Imphal due to the non-existence of proper staff quarter.

Subsequently, the Addl Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi DK Thangboi while interacting with the Chief Justice assured to provide a staff quarter for the staff of the court of JMIC Kangpokpi until proper staff quarter were provided.

Meanwhile, a District and Session Court and Jail are likely to be set up for Kangpokpi and once the court is set up and begin to function, it will help deal with the trials of various crimes occurring in the area, according to a reliable source.

The Chief Justice also inspected a land plot for the proposed site for construction of a District and Session Court with Jail which is located at a 5-minute drive from the JMIC, Kangpokpi premises.

The Kangpokpi Town Committee might step in to donate the inspected land in case the District and Session Court with a Jail is to be set up in the future, further added the source.

The Chief Justice left Kangpokpi for Senapati where he paid a similar visit at the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Senapati. Deputy Commissioner Senapati and Superintendent of Police Senapati along with the Chief Judicial Magistrate RK Memcha accompanied the visiting team at Senapati.

The Chief Justice then left for Kohima the morning itself.

Meanwhile, during the Kangpokpi visit, the Kangpokpi Town Committee secretary Haokholun Chongloi addressed a welcome speech while the committee chairman Chonkam Kipgen presented a Kuki traditional shawl to the Chief Justice AM Sapre and the Law Secretary Ramesh Chandra. The Chief Justice’s better half was also presented a Kuki traditional shawl by K Hoinu, chairperson of the Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization on behalf of the women bodies.

CJ Manipur HC with his team inspecting the court of JMIC Kangpokpi premise

IMPHAL, April 27: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh said that it will take up the case on the matter of Moirang MLA Mairembam Prithviraj providing wrong information about his educational qualification to the Parliament. Thus was announced in a press conference held this evening at the party’s Nityaipat Chuthek office.

It was reported that the MLA who is also a Parliamentary Secretary of the state had filed in his nomination paper for the 2012 general election that he has completed his Masters in Business Administration from the Mysore University in 2003, resulting in the Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur  conveying to the Returning Officer concerned from 27 Moirang Assembly Constituency, to take up disqualification proceedings against the MLA.

Speaking at the press conference, spokesperson, Y Nilamani said that the party alongwith representatives of several civil societies of Moirang held a meeting on the issue yesterday at the party’s Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal office.

He continued that the opposition candidate had made a complaint against it, however after the RO failed to take proper action, the opposing candidate filed an RTI appeal.

He said the attempt of the MLA to fool the general public by lying about his educational qualification is an unprecedented incident in the history of India’s democracy.

Under the People Representation Act, incorrect and wrong information provided while filing affidavits is punishable, he said.

Further elaborating on the stand of the party, the spokesperson said Prithviraj should resign on his own and if he fails to do so, then the Government should disqualify him.

He further said that in case the government fail to take any punitive action against the MLA, than the party will consult its national leaders on the issue and take it to the floor of the Parliament.

The BJP Manipur Pradesh also condemns the inability of the Ibobi led state government to take any action against the oil pumps that close shops as soon as blockades are called along the Highways creating problems for the people of the state, said publicity secretary of the party Robin Blackie.

He continued that the availability of all essential commodities being brought into the state depend on the transporters and as such, their prices keep on fluctuating. He added the government is unable to control the prices which has led to the business community controlling the prices of the essential commodities in the state.

IMPHAL, April 27: The arrival and departure of tankers from and to Imphal has resumed from today onwards after loaded trucks and empty tankers ceased service in connection with the incident wherein a tanker driver of Manipur was kidnapped near Kohima on the morning of the day on which three different organizations of Zeliangrong imposed indefinite economic blockade on two national highways from the midnight of April 21.

According to a source, 69 loaded tankers along with petrol and diesel LPG bullet tankers reached Imphal safely from Khatkhati at around 11 p.m. after cease work strike from April 22 till yesterday.

On the other hand, 86 empty tankers left Imphal for Khatkhati in the intervening night between yesterday night and today morning at around 1 p.m.

The source further said that CRPF personnel escorted the convoy of tricks as usual when empty tankers left and loaded tankers arrived. Additional escorts have not been provided till today though there was an understanding regarding the provision of additional escorts at a high level meeting held yesterday after the incident near Kohima besides indefinite economic blockade. However, as per the understanding road opening patrol (ROP) duty has begun between Mao and Imphal of National Highway – 2.

For distribution to the public tomorrow, petrol stock allocated to oil pumps include Bakliwal Enterprises – 8KL, Porompat – 4KL, Imo filling station – 4KL, Konsam – 8KL, Tiddim Station – 4 KL, Jas Gas Station – 8 KL, Dwijamani Petrleum – 4 KL, Imphal oil – 8 KL, Friendly – 4 KL, PCTC -20 KL and Lembisana – 4 KL.

Oil pumps to which diesel was allocated are BB & Co – 4KL, Ukhrul – 8 KL, Bikul/Kakching – 12 KL, Assam Rifle/Moreh – 12 KL, Indo – Myanmar – 8 KL, Lamsang – 4 KL, Moreh – 12 KL, None – 12 KL, Highway – 4 KL, Ibochou/Kakwa – 8 KL, Tuibuong/CCP – 4 KL, BTS Gasoline – 8 KL, Lamka – 8 KL, Assam Rifle/Chassad – 12 KL, Khongnang – 8 KL, Porompat – 4 KL, Bakliwal Enterprises – 12 KL, Khabeisoi – 4 KL, Sekmai – 8 KL, IGP (Manipur Police) – 12 KL, Tusk and Bonn – 8 KL, PG Petroleum – 8 KL, Tiddim Station – 3 KL, Highway Petroleum – 12 KL, Tiddim Station – 3 KL, Highway Petroleum – 12 KL, Wabagai – 12 KL, Mayai Lambi – 12 KL and PCTC – 20 KL.