KANGPOKPI, July 2: Oath taking ceremony of the recently elected All Tribal Students Union Manipur executive for the term 2013-2015 has been held today at SDWA Hall, Senapati District Headquarter with several federating units of the ATSUM.

The Oath taking ceremony has been administered by ATSUM Chief Election Commission W.Shinglai.

Emboi Serto took the oath as the president of ATSUM while Marahang Ngiimai, Hemang Haokip, Kakam Haokip and Adani David Mao took the Oath as General Secretary, Finance Secretary, Education Secretary and Speaker of the Union respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, ATSUM Ex-president John Pulamte said that, today is a historic moment for the tribal students bodies. When we talk about tribal peoples, it consists of different types of communities, but under ATSUM we are one and we have to work together for the tribal people adding that the elected leaders should utilized their wisdom not only their powers to bring peace and harmony as well as development among the tribal peoples.

The outgoing president of Thomas Taishya disclosed the pending works to the new elected leaders and expresses his hope that they will speedily cover up besides handing all the documents and records to the newly elected president.

Emboi Serto who took the oath as the new chief of ATSUM traced back the formation of ATSUM in 1972 with a vision to work for the causes of tribal peoples adding, "that vision become only a dream now". However Serto took the responsibility to turn that dream into reality thought it might have tremendous burdens.

Serto further added that the responsibility is not going to easy since the road ahead is full of bumby and rough but we render ourself for the service of the tribal peoples thereby trying to bring out our for the causes of the tribal issues.

"The good wisdom and wise guidance of our senior leaders, federating units leaders, tribal Hohos and Inpuis and all leaders of tribal students bodies will be our strength and success", averred Serto while adding that the cooperation and support of the tribal peoples will added another success and give sufficient strength to always stand for the tribal causes.

IMPHAL, June 2: The Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal district has sought a status report regarding the functioning of district hospital of Thoubal district from both the Chief Medical Officer, Thoubal and Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Thoubal saying the District Hospital Thoubal is not functioning and some other adverse instances have also brought to the notice. Common complaints over the hospital include poor/inept handling of the administration works; unauthorized absence of staff; untidiness and foul/stink smell in the Hospital and non installation of various sophisticated and expensive equipments. Questions have also arose over the progress of the renovation and repairing of the 2(two) Operation rooms in the hospital; whether, the Hospital authorities have taken up any corrective measures/actions for installation of the machines/equipments and whether, the Medical Officers/Nurses/Ward Attendants etc. are kept on roster/night duty.

The notification of the Thoubal DC has mentioned that the DC inspected the Hospital on so many occasions that has brought to the notice of Medical Officer and Medical Superintendent of District Hospital on the non-functional condition of the two Operation Theaters and non-installation of the Blood Bank-cum-Transfusion Unit while adding that this has been viewed very seriously by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Manipur, it said.

Moreover, the CM has expressed his displeasure for non-completion of the above 2 items till date while saying Hon'ble Chief Minister is likely to visit and supervise the ongoing renovation/repairing works at any time during 2nd week of July, 2013, it said further said.

It is further said that despite of his repeated instructions to CMO/Thoubal and Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Thoubal during his surprise visit/inspection to inform the progress of the above 2 works are found to be not satisfactory and going on a slow pace it said.

In view of the above circumstances, the notification further requested both the CMO and Medical Superintendent to take up immediate action to complete the aforesaid two items without any further delay, it further added.

IMPHAL, July 2: A press statement of the Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA)has said that the association is likely to launch a series of agitation against the University Authority citing manipulation in the selection of three teachers in the 3rd Executive Council of Manipur University, non-appointment of statutory posts such as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations as well as other officers such as Director, Academic Staff College; Director, College Development Council, etc. for the last more than two years, non-implementation of HAG scale, long pending scheme for senior professors, non-holding of selection committees for promotion/appointment of faculty members, etc.

“Presently the University is being run on ad-hoc basis centralizing all the powers in an autocratic manner by destroying all the democratic norms, as there are no statutory officers on regular basis except the Registrar. At present, the Vice-Chancellor is also looking after the office of the Finance Officer, Manipur University. And under these circumstances, the general public may allege that there is ample possible room for misappropriation of fund as he himself sanctions and signs cheques as the Finance Officer”, the statement said.

Considering all the facts, MUT A in its general body meeting held on May 28, 2013 took a number of resolutions to implement within some specific datelines, with an endorsement to take any appropriate actions to the Executive Committee, it said.

As a result, the agitations are to be launched in order to streamline the functioning of the University, and for overall healthy growth of this institute of higher learning, it said.

IMPHAL, July 2: The Manipur Legislative Assembly has notified in a statement that the election for the vacant post of vice chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the 10th Legislative Assembly will be held on July 5 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.    

The notification issued today has also informed the committee members to be present on the said day without fail. The notification has also informed that the candidates can file their nominations till noon of the Election Day.

According to reports, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has nominated Z Kikhonbou Newmai, who had won the election on the party’s ticket from 52-Tamei (ST) Assembly Constituency, for the said post.

Z Kikhonbou Newmai is presently the general secretary of District Congress Committee and is also a member of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee.   

IMPHAL, July 2: The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has today issued a press release saying that government of Manipur did not provide necessary infrastructures and teaching faculties to the recently upgraded five higher secondary schools namely the Nilapadma Hr Sec School, the Langmeidong Hr Sec School, the Borbegra Hr Sec School, the Jeshami Hr Sec School and the Bungjajin Hr Sec School.

It has further said that DESAM has learnt from reliable sources that twenty four guest lecturers for each higher Sec school were selected to be utilized to the upgraded higher secondary school.

However, the lecturers are yet to join at their respective schools owing to none signing of necessary agreements between the teachers and the concerned government authority, the statement said while asking the merit of playing delaying tactics on the part of government.

It has further added that the concerned Education Minister, Commissioner and Director should work with a commitment to make education sector better, instead of making gaps in their words and deeds, it said.

The statement further said that the newly upgraded higher secondary schools do not have sanctioned post of lecturers and importantly the principals who could make things manageable there and further asking as to how a school can run without teachers while elaborating that state administration is a serious business, not a child’s play, it said.

IMPHAL, June 2: JAC against Forced Eviction of Naga River Lane has today released a press statement appealing to the government of Manipur and civil society organisations of Manipur to kindly intervene their predicament before the situation is getting worse to the extent of irreparable situation.

The press statement further said that the other major concern is the people with differently abled who have more challenges when their houses are destroyed while adding that there are 144 children from the community who are rendered homeless thereby making them difficult in managing their study, some have already left schools.

Interestingly, it is further said that the government of Manipur continues its silence on the plight of the homeless community following the forced eviction of the forty five families on May 20, 2013. Till today, all the families did not accept any meager compensation offered by the government while adding that all families are scattered to different locations, some at rented house where they have problems of paying off the rent and moreover large people could not afford to stay at rented house thereby opted to taking refuge in cemetery/MBC Recreation Centre at Dewlahland, it said.

IMPHAL, July 2: Inner Manipur MP from Manipur Dr Thokchom Meinya has condoled the sudden demise of ex-MLA Paolen Haokip who was also a former president of the Kuki National Assembly, said a statement from the MP.

“In the demise of Paolen Haokip, Manipur suffered a big loss not only for the Kuki community but also for the whole State. He happens to be a leader closely associated with the royal family of Manipur. He had the distinction of being an elected Member of the Manipur Territorial Council from Churachandpur Constituency and also a Member of the first Manipur Legislative Assembly from Saitu Constituency”, it said.

“His contribution towards Statehood movement, communal harmony and territorial integrity of Manipur shall always be remembered. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace in heaven”, it said.