NEW DELHI, Sep 11 (Agencies): A decision on a hike in fuel prices was deferred Tuesday as a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), scheduled for the evening, was postponed.

Sources said the meeting was called off as some members of the ruling alliance were not in favour of such a decision ahead of state elections later this year.

Earlier in the day, Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy said an increase in diesel, cooking gas and kerosene prices is "unavoidable" to reduce under-recoveries of oil marketing companies.

"As I have said before, painful and difficult decisions on price of oil products will have to be taken. Increase in price is unavoidable," Reddy told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

"To what extent can the consumers take it, is another matter."

Reddy said he had circulated an updated note to the CCPA, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, detailing the financial stress created by the rise in crude prices and fall in the value of rupee against the US dollar.

State-run oil marketing companies are losing Rs 550 crore per day on under-recoveries as a result of higher crude prices in the global markets.

Their losses on sales are at the rate of Rs 17 per litre on diesel, Rs 32.70 per litre on kerosene and Rs 347 per cylinder on cooking gas.

Reports, meanwhile, said prices of oil jumped near the highest level in a week amid speculation that countries like the US and China will announce economic stimulus measures to pep up growth.

Indian Oil chairman RS Butola said oil marketing companies were currently losing nearly Rs 6 per litre on petrol sales.

"There is a need to raise petrol prices. We are in consultations with our colleagues at other oil marketing companies and stakeholders," Butola said.

Though petrol prices are freed from administrative control since June 2010, the OMCs consult the government before taking any decision on the price front.

The finance ministry also supports the petroleum ministry's stand on cutting the subsidies on petroleum products as the move would lower the government's subsidy burden and improve the country's fiscal outlook.

With the rising global prices of crude oil and hardening of other commodities, it is feared that the fiscal deficit could breach the budget estimate of 5.1 per cent of gross domestic product for the current fiscal.

At the end of the day, Reddy proved himself prescient.

"If it (price increase) is taken up today (Tuesday), which is not very likely, some decisions may be taken... if it is not taken up today, decision will be postponed," he had said.

MOREH, September 11: In the aftermath of pharmacies closing down shop indefinitely since yesterday at Moreh town, a pregnant woman died due to lack of life saving drugs this morning around 5am.

The woman has been identified as Daylankim Shah, 32 wife of Basudev Shah of Moreh Ward No 5.

Speaking to media persons, the dead woman’s husband, Basudev Shah said his family had been trying to get medicines for his wife since yesterday evening after her condition deteriorated, however failed to get any medicine till today.

She died this morning, he said.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that pharmacies in the border town had shut down shop since yesterday reacting to harassment of transporters bringing in medicine to the border town along the National Highway by the Assam Rifles.

The Border Trade & Chamber of Commerce, Moreh Town, Chandel district in a press release had also decided to shut down their business establishments inn Moreh in support of the Pharmacists protest from 6am of September 13 indefinitely, in case the concern authorities look into the incidents , said the release.

The Border Trade & Chamber of Commerce, Moreh Town had lamented the 24 Assam Rifles for harassing transporters along the highway.

IMPHAL, September 11: Taking cover of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the security forces have used excessive force against the Manipuris, said Sharmila Kanba Lup, SAKAL, member Th Ramani said at the observation of imposition of the AFSPA today.

AFSPA was implemented in several NE Indian states considered “Disturb Areas” including Manipur by the Indian government giving unrestrained powers to the security forces while dealing with the people of the areas. The prolonged imposition of the Act has however received mixed reactions from all over the world.

People of the state and others against its continued imposition have blatantly criticised the Act as draconian. The most notable protester against the Act is Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on a hunger strike for 12 years running demanding repeal of the Act.  

The Sharmila Kanba Lup observed the imposition of the Act today at the Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound.

In her key-note address, Th Ramani stressed that the number of people killed by the security forces had increased after the imposition of the Act in the state.

Citing several incidents of security atrocities upon the people of the state including the high profile case of Th Manorama Devi and others, she said that the Act has given extraordinary powers to the security forces.

She further recalled that Sharmila started her fast after the November 2, 2000 Malom massacre of 10 civilians including women and a child bravery awardee by Assam Rifles.

She added that agitations against the draconian Act will continue until the Act is fully repealed.

She further urged the people of the state for a common platform and unity to demand repeal of the draconian Act.

Sharmila’s brother Irom Singhajit said even after Manipur was forcibly integrated into the Indian Union, Manipuris are yet to receive the treatment of being an Indian even now.

Such treatment meted out to the Manipuris could be a hidden agenda of the Indian Government to divert the attention from Sharmila’s agitation against the draconian Act.

The centre has never heard the voices of the indigenous people of Manipur.

Even the elected representatives from the state cannot voiced the feelings of the general public before the Centre, he lamented.

He further called for a collective voice of the whole NE region against the draconian act.

He further appealed Manipuris for unity.

AMKIL, president, Ph Sakhileima said under the Act, the security forces which are specifically meant for war have been sent amongst the general public.

This Act has empowered the security forces with the power to bang any door, anytime to arrest anyone, she stressed.

Many have been left handicapped for life from the brutal harassment by the security forces under the Act, she continued.

Ranting against the Act, the meira paibi leader said, many a times relatives have failed to even trace out the bones of people who have been picked up by the Indian security forces.

She alleged that the Assam Rifles bury their victims at their post at Singjamei Chinga hill. She also added that the AR used to bury their victims inside the historic Kangla fort while they were garrisoned inside.

She further ranted that skeletons found from inside the Kangla Fort are only those of Manipuris and not of outsiders.

She continued that several youths of the state have left their homesteads due to the atrocities of the security forces.

She expressed her fear that the recent inflow of illegal drugs into the state could be a handiwork of the Centre to lure the youth of the state before they started revolting against it.

Kabui Mothers’ Association, president Kakomlunglu Kamei said there is a need to take the call against AFSPA to the hills. It should not be concentrated in the valley districts only.

Both the hills and valley need to unite against the AFSPA, 1958.

AMWJU president, A Mobi stressed on the need to discuss on what needs to be done to remove the Act from the state rather than mull over the past.

He said none of the state elected representatives including the Chief Minister cannot voice the people’s dissent with the Act to the Centre like Omar Abdullah of J&K who had voiced that the Act should be removed from the NE region.Many other speakers including senior citizen Arambam Lokendro, UCM president Y Naba, former UCM president, Sapamcha Dillip, Freedom Editor, RK Ranendrajit all stressed on the need to repeal AFSPA from the state.

IMPHAL, September 11: The 12th Memorial ceremony of Jupiter Yambem who was killed in the Al-Qaida attack on the World Trade Center in New York on this day in 2001 was held at the Jupiter Yambem Center in his hometown of Imphal this afternoon.

Yambem Laba , brother of Jupiter Yambem speaks on the occasion .

Jupiter was amongst the odd three thousand people who perished in that attack and was the first Indian fatality whose body was recovered way back in 2001.

He was then working as a Senior Manager in the world’s tallest restaurant the Windows on the World located at the 107th floor of the North Tower of the WTC. About 50 friends, relatives and well-wishers gathered in today’s memorial service.

He was the younger brother of former Manipur Human Rights Commission Member and noted journalist of the State Yambem Laba.

After an introductory short speech by Yambem Laba  a two minutes silence was observed as mark of respect to the departed soul and this was followed by  an all faith prayer meeting which was led by Father P.X. Francis SDB of Don Bosco, Imphal.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor of the Imphal Free Press and Jupiter’s childhood friend said that he remembers Jupiter as a fighter with a never say die spirit and a person  who never gave up.

Prominient social activist RK Ranendrajit who is Jupiter’s American wife Nancy’s god-father said that it was most unfortunate to lose such a talented person like Jupiter in the prime of his life.

Another of Jupiter’s friend Ranjana Manorharmayum said that it is an emotional event every year and said that while he has become part of the World’s statistics it is good that we remember him here at Imphal where he was born.

Former IGP of Manipur Th Karunamaya  Singh IPS (Retd) recalled his recent visit to ground  to ground zero in New York and informed the gathering that Jupiter’s name is embossed on the memorial plague there on the north tower site bearing number 79.

All remembered him as a pioneer in his own right having gone to America without any professional degree but had worked his way through to fund his own college education and began his career in the hospitality industry and his clientele  included the late Elizabeth Taylor to Hillary Clinton besides the top honchos of New York’s corporate world.

He also founded the North American Manipuri Association which is the first association of the new generation Manipuri Diaspora who had settled overseas.

Today hundreds of Manipuris have followed his path and are employed in various sectors in the USA and elsewhere abroad.

The Jupiter Yambem Center was established by his family here in Imphal and inaugurated by his wife Nancy and son Chinglailakpa in 2002.The Center was set up to provide a cultural continuity amongst Manipuris settled in America and elsewhere with their roots and also provides information to Manipuris seeking passage to the USA.

TRUGPU's Raju(left) vies for ball with Gouro of AIM.

IMPHAL, September 9: Dayananda’s hattrick registered win for AIM and with nine points from three matches, AIM tops the point table in the ongoing 7th Manipur State League 2012 at Mapal Kangjeibung.

Dayananda is the third player to score a hattrick in the league.

AIM Khabam Lamkhai defeated TRUGPU Nambol 3-0 goal in the match today.

After losing all the three matches, TRUGPU fails to open point account.

During the match today, TRUGPU was seen playing quit well in the first half and even got the chances for scoring four goals. But both the teams did not succeed in scoring any goals till the end of the first half.

In the second half, AIM was seen changing its tactics and playing much lively. In the 59th minute, TRUGPU’s defender M Raju committed a foul in the penalty area when AIMS’s Hemanta was marching towards it. The Referee awarded a penalty in favour of AIM, which was converted into goal by H Dayananda making the first goal of the match.

He also scored the other two goals in 75th minute and 90+1 minute declaring a hattrick. The third goal was scored converting from a penalty. The penalty was awarded when TRUGPU’s William Chiru intentionally grab the ball with his hand of a goal attempt made by AIM striker Naoton. The referee booked William a red card and he was sent off the field. He is also the first player to see a red card in the league.

Speaking at post match, TRUGPU’s coach Ng Ruhikanta said that his team played quit well in the first half and also got the chances to score some goals. If they manage to score some goals in that time, it would have gained some spirit for his players to push forward even though they were junior players.

He further added that his team will make every effort to win in the remaining seven matches even though they have lost in earlier three matches.    

AIM’s coach W Khogen said that he saw his team playing quit lacking coordination at the first half part, but in the second half he advices his team and they were able to come to their form and won the match.

He also added that they consider TRAU, NISA and SSU as competitive opponents for the remaining matches.

IMPHAL, September 9: FIFA turf consultant Anthony Apparially who arrived yesterday in the state inspected the laying of the artificial turf football ground at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

FIFA turf consultant Anthony Apparially inspects.

The final testing took more than three hours and the report will be sent to FIFA for certification.

As of now there is no final decision on the condition of the ground.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Football Association representatives met with the state Chief Minister and communicated on the various infrastructure lacking in the stadium.

According to a AMFA representative, the CM should some positive responses. The CM assured the team that he would take up the matter with the concern departments.

The Artificial Turf had been constructed in the state under the ‘Win in India with India project” under FIFA fundings. The laying of the turf was done by Lemonta Sports, Italy.

Work on the artificial turf laying had started on July 2010, though the state government had submitted the proposal for the project in 2009.FIFA had altogether picked four stadiums in the country including the one at the Khuman Lampak for the project.

IMPHAL, September 9: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today attended the inaugural function of the three day Haj 2012 Orientation/Training of Pilgrims organized by the Manipur State Haj Committee at Madrassah Alia (Markaz-e-Tabligh), Lilong.

CM Ibobi attends Haj 2012 Orientation/Training of Pilgrims

The training programme has been made compulsory for all intending pilgrims of Haj since last year.

Speaking as the chief guest, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh expressed that the three day orientation programme will help the pilgrims and lauded the Manipur State Haj Committee for organizing such a programme in the state.

Expressing that all people are same, the state Chief Minister said we should treat everyone equally and there should be no segregation on the lines of one’s religion.

All religion teach us to unite and doesn’t teach us to fight against one another, he stressed.

He further urged the people to live in peace and harmony.

He wished all pilgrims safe journey and appealed to all to pray for the state during their pilgrimage to the holy place.

Stressing on the importance of the training programme, an executive member of the Manipur State Haj Committee said every year more than 30 lakh of pilgrims attend Haj.

In such a scenario the pilgrims need to follow certain norms during the pilgrim, he said.

Continuing further, he said that pilgrims need to be trained of the ways of the country as their living standard is different from ours.

He further elaborated that there are two types of accommodation category at Haj- Azizia accommodation and Green accommodation.

Azizia refers to the economical class while the green category refers to VIP class.

Meanwhile, Md Abdul Nasir in his guest of honour speech said he will sponsor the fooding for 400 of the pilgrims from the state at Guwahati.

Md Amin Shah said the state government will sanction Rs 12 lakh for the pilgrims of the state. He continued that the audit of the sanctioned money will be provided for all to see after returning from Haj.

Meanwhile, he continued that he has received information that several persons are duping innocents who want to go to the pilgrimage and added such individuals should stop such activities at the earliest.