IMPHAL, February 25: The public blockade called by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) coming into effect in the intervening midnight between yesterday and today have brought all  oil Tankers under the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers’ Union (AMPTDU) to a complete halt.

According to information received by IFP, as per the normal routine empty oil tankers leave Imphal late night and reach Mao gate the next morning. After leaving Mao gate in the morning, they pass through Kohima, Nagaland before the traffic congestion pile up and  to reach Dimapur.

Following the bandh, no oil tanker left Imphal yesterday night.

On the other hand, no Imphal bound oil tankers loaded with oil and LPG have come in to the state.

The source further said that another reason why oil tankers stopped their normal service is that CRPF personnel who escorted tankers have been engaged in election duty at Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura.

However there are more than enough loaded oil tankers at the interstate bus Terminus (ISBT) , Khuman lampak and there is oil in abundance at the depot of the Indian oil Corporation (IOC).

It may be mentioned that KSDC called the indefinite public blockade demanding a separate state for Kukis and the initiation of peace process with the umbrella organisation of the Kuki UG group, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United people’s Front (UPF) and Manipur and central government representatives.

KANGPOKPI, February 25: The Kuki State Demand Committee “Public Blockade” in all Kuki dominated areas has partially affect normal life in NH-2 in the first day.

The road looks deserted in the morning since all passenger buses and others traffics stopped plying along the route. But business establishment, Educational institutions went as usual.

Traffic resumed service as usual in the afternoon confusing the general public. The reason could not be confirmed.

One reliable source informed that, in view of the forthcoming HSLC and HSSLC examination and in the interest of the student community who are to sit in the said examinations, local passenger bus service is relax from the bandh.

Passenger bus from Senapati to Imphal and Kangpokpi to Imphal is relaxed from the purview of the KSDC bandh as local adjustment in the interest of the students community, added the source.

However, the source informed that, inter-state bus service, loaded trucks and other four wheelers plying through NH-2 as passengers carrier from Imphal to Dimapur will not be relaxed from the bandh.

Mentioned may be made that, this morning while a media person from Kangpokpi went to fetch newspaper at Imphal came across students from different school walking for at least ½ Kms.to reach their respective school.

One of the students who were on the way to their school while talking with the media person said that, bandh and blockade has adversely affected the student community in the state. He further said that, such activities in the state create lassitude in studying among the students thereby demolishing so many student future careers.

This student also said that, he started his journey early morning without food to be on time to school since there will be no buses plying on the route due to the bandh.

“I am very tired but I have no other means”, added the student.

Another unconfirmed source informed that, there are some loaded trucks stranded in Senapati due to the KSDC Public Blockade in the Kuki dominated areas in the state.

Rome, February 24, 2013: Italians head to the polls on Sunday and on Monday for their first general election since the ousting of Silvio Berlusconi in a climate of economic crisis and amid fears of fresh political instability.

European capitals will be watching closely since, whatever the result, there is likely to be a change from outgoing technocratic premier Mario Monti's agenda of austerity and economic reforms.

The most likely winner is centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani who says he will stick to Monti's budget rigour but also create more growth and jobs as Italy endures its longest recession in 20 years.

But the scandal-tainted Berlusconi, a three-time prime minister who is also a defendant in two trials for tax fraud and having sex with an underage prostitute, could come a close second.

With his showman interview skills, Berlusconi has taken to the airwaves for two months straight and has risen sharply in the polls with a promise to reimburse Italians an unpopular property tax.

He has also won votes by blaming a "hegemonic" Germany for Italy's woes.

The final day of campaigning was on Friday and candidates on Saturday were supposed to stay silent on the eve of the vote but Berlusconi apparently broke the rules by speaking to journalists.

In an interview with Greek television that was reported by Italian media, Berlusconi said: "I contradicted the lords of austerity who are now trying to get rid of me."

He said Monti was "subservient and always on his knees in front of Mrs Merkel (German Chancellor Angela Merkel) and now she does not want to lose him".

"I would give her a run for her money," he said.

The real wild card of the vote is Beppe Grillo, a boisterous former comedian turned grassroots campaigner who has channelled growing social discontent in Italy and could come third.

Polls indicate the result may not give Bersani alone a strong enough majority to rule and he may have to seek an alliance with Monti, which could bring the former Eurocrat back into government.

Polls open at 0700 GMT and close at 2100 GMT on Sunday and open again for a second day of voting at 0600 GMT on Monday and close at 1400 GMT.

Exit polls are expected immediately after that and preliminary official results will begin trickling through later on Monday and perhaps into Tuesday.

Pope Benedict XVI delivered an emotional last Sunday prayer in St Peter's Square, saying God had told him to devote himself to quiet contemplation but assuring he would not "abandon" the Church.

The final days of his pontificate are being overshadowed by mounting scandal over two cardinals -- one accused of covering up paedophile abusers and the other accused of "inappropriate acts"' -- set to to take part in the conclave to elect the next pontiff.

But tens of thousands of supporters turned out for Benedict's final Sunday prayers ahead of his formal resignation on Thursday, often interrupting him with their clapping, cheering and chanting.

"The Lord is calling me to climb the mountain, to dedicate myself even more to prayer and meditation. But this does not mean abandoning the Church," the pope said from the window of his residence in the Vatican, his voice breaking with emotion.

"If God is asking me to do this it is precisely so I can continue to serve with the same dedication and love as before but in a way that is more appropriate for my age and for my strength."

The 85-year-old leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics announced earlier this month he will be stepping down because he lacks the strength to carry on.

Seoul, February 24, 2013: It was a memorable outing for India as the 16th Asian Junior Squash championship saw the girls team won gold after a gap of ten years and the boys team bagged the silver at its conclusion in Seoul on Sunday.

While the Indian girls team defeated Hong Kong 2-1 in a thriller, the boys team lost to arch-rivals Pakistan 0-2 in the finals.

The girls took to the stage first against a charged up Hong Kong team. The order of play was 3-1-2.

Lakshya Ragavendran, the star player in the semifinals wherein she won the decider against Malaysia, played the first rubber.

However, she looked totally out of sorts and succumbed to the relentless attack of her rival Ho Tze Lok.

With one match down, the most consistent and India number one, Anaka Alankamony took on Hong Kong number one, Ho Ka Po.

Anaka stamped her authority right from the beginning and outclassed her opponent 3-0 in double quick time to put the contest evenly poised at one-match all.

New Delhi, February 24, 2013: Security was on Sunday stepped in and around India Gate, the war memorial which attracts thousands on Sundays, with police restricting entry into the area.

The move comes three days after twin blasts rocked Hyderabad killing 16 people and leaving 117 dead.

Indian Mujahideen terrorists are suspected to be behind the blasts and those arrested in connection with Pune blasts have claimed to have told police that they had recceed Hyderabad and other cities.

Police stepped security in the national capital, especially at India Gate as it is one of the most crowded locations in the city during weekends.

A senior Delhi Police official said its personnel have been alerted and they were keeping a tight vigil on the city.

"There is nothing to panic. We have taken all precautions," the official said.

Hyderbad, February 24, 2013: PM Manmohan Singh visited Thursday's blast sites and hospitals where the injured are being treated to express solidarity with the people of the city and appealed for peace and calm.

He lauded the people of the city for refusing to be provoked by the nefarious act.

Singh visited the twin blast sites and Omni and Yashoda Hospitals where he met some of the injured and their families, assuring them of all help.

"I have come to share the grief of people of Hyderabad. I express condolence for the families of the bereaved and wish speedy recovery for the injured," Singh said after meeting the blast victims at the hospitals on Sunday.

He also said the state government has assured all medical help for them.

"The state government has assured all help will be given for treatment," Singh, who flew to Hyderabad from Delhi by a special IAF plane, said.

Making an appeal for peace, he said, "I call upon the people to maintain calm in this hour of grief. I am happy that people of Hyderabad have refused to be provoked by this nefarious incident."

Singh on Saturday had strongly condemned the blasts, saying those responsible for the dastardly act would not go unpunished.

Consoling the mother of one of the injured K Parmeshwar, Singh said all possible care will be provided to her son, the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

"The staff will take all possible care of your son," he told her.

He assured another blast victim Sudhakar Reddy that "we will provide all possible medical help to you and others".                  

Talking to Rajitha, an injured undergoing treatment at Yashoda hospital at Malakpet, Singh said, "I am here to share your pain and grief. We will take care of you."

Before leaving for Delhi, the Prime Minister told Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to find a mechanism to provide jobs to those grievously hurt and disabled in the blasts.

Singh was received on Sunday morning at the Begumpet airport by Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimham, the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues.

From the airport, he, along with the Governor and the Chief Minister, flew by a helicopter to Victoria Memorial Home where a helipad was constructed for his visit.

From there, he went to Dilsukhnagar by road where the two bombs had exploded within a span of a few minutes on Thursday, killing 16 people and leaving 117 injured.

He was at the blast area for about ten minutes and spent nearly 40 minutes with the injured.

Singh also held a review meeting with the Chief Minister and the state ministers during which Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy briefed him about the progress of the investigation into the case.

The Prime Minister was told that certain clear clues were obtained based on footage of the closed-circuit cameras at the scene and also questioning of some terror suspects lodged in jails here.

"We are working in close coordination with the National Investigation Agency and are hopeful of cracking the case soon," the DGP was said to have told the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister informed Singh during his nearly three-hour-long visit that about 3500 closed-circuit cameras were being installed across the state capital to step up surveillance.

Union Ministers Balram Naik, Sarvey Satyanarayana, Panabaka Lakshmi, Deputy Chief Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha, state Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy and senior officials were among others who received and saw off the Prime Minister.

IMPHAL, February 24: The Maring Students' Union (MSU) has in a release expressed shock over the white paper on the issue of eligibility to sit for HSLC Examination, 2013 wherein it stated that the candidates who have filled up the application forms issued by the BOSEM for the upcoming examination will not be allowed to appear the same on the ground that allowing them to take the examination would be subjudice because the AMSGO and the concerned schools have failed to withdraw the Writ Petition filed in the Imphal Bench of Guwahati High Court on the matter.

The MSU questioned why the BOSEM issued application forms to the 1924 students while the case is still pending disposal in the Guwahati High Court, the press release stated.

The attempt of the BOSEM by registering nearly 7000 students to allow them to give the HSLCE 2012 violating its own Rules & Regulations is strongly condemnable as the attempt threatens quality education, the release said.

The release further continued that MSU has given enough time to the BOSEM to give up indifferent attitude to the poor state-of-affairs of education in the hills and the student body also considers the fate of the students whose educational carriers are at stake.

Therefore, it (MSU) did not oppose the move but was closely monitoring the steps of the board on the issue.

But barring the students who have filled up the application forms is highly condemnable and invites serious intervention, it said.

The press statement of the student body urge BOSEM to take up measures to save the educational carreer of the students at the earliest to prevent undesirable consequences for which the BOSEM will be held solely responsible.