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Joyshree Usham
MANIPUR LIFTS MORE LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
Manipur lifts some more covid lockdown restrictions for 15 days from August 23
Manipur Government has issued a notice lifting some more covid lockdown restrictions in the wake of declining number of Covid-19 positive cases detected per day. Chairperson of State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Authority cum State Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, IAS under Section Act, 2005 the 20(2)(a) of the Disaster Management issued a notice today lifting some restrictions for 15 days from August 23 till September 6, 2021 in the entire state. However, Night curfew will remain enforced strictly from 6 P.M. to 5 A.M and no social gatherings, feasts are permitted.
Unavoidable customary and religious rituals can be performed in open sheds by restricting the number of invitees to twenty only. Micro containment zones shall be strictly monitored by dedicated Police Department and Health Department teams. All standalone shops like shops selling construction material, hardware, electrical items, cement, stationery etc. located outside Paona Bazaar and Thangal Bazaar are now allowed to open from 7 AM to 2 PM. Shops may open on roster basis from 8 AM to 2 PM in Thangal and Paona Bazar except shops in Gullies / by-lanes between buildings. Shopping malls shall remain closed. All vehicle workshops may open from 9 AM to 3 PMon all days. Local vegetable vendors can open from 7 AM to 2 PM on all days provided that vegetable vendors are seated at least 6 feet away from one another on spaces marked by District Administration and should wear mask all the time.
Local grocery shops may open from 7 AM to 2 PM and shops selling fish, poultry and poultry products from 8 AM to 2 PM. Shops selling milk and fresh milk products are allowed to open every day from 6 AM to 9 AM. Private Security Services, Food Processing Units including manufacturing units in Industrial Estates. Mineral water manufacturing and distribution are allowed to operate. Vehicles showrooms and servicing centres of vehicles can open from 8 AM to 2 PM. Hotel lodgings may open as before but not restaurants.
IPSA VS ATSUM ON ADC BILL, 2021
IPSA objects introduction of Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 in Assembly Session while ATSUM seeks passing of the bill; ATSUM calls 24 hours shutdown against possibility that the bill may not be tabledn
International Peace and Social Advancement, IPSA and All Tribal Students' Union, ATSUM are head on against each other over the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021, a bill which seeks more autonomy to Hill Areas Committee, HAC and Autonomous District Councils, ADCs. IPSA is objecting the bill citing that it imposes a threat to communal co-existence and territorial integrity of Manipur. While, All Tribal Students Union Manipur, ATSUM said that the bill once turned into an Act will facilitate equal development of hills and Valley regions of Manipur. It maybe mentioned that HAC has already recommended passing of the bill in the ongoing Assembly Session. The bill, if passed and turned into an Act will give self-governance to special areas of the Hills Areas recognized under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
Speaking to media at IPSA Office in Keishampat today, IPSA President Tourangbam Birjit said, 'forget about passing the bill, it cannot be even tabled in the house'. He claimed that the bill was pre-planned by Hill Areas Committee and it has the potential of bringing unrest in the state. Taking part in the press meet IPSA Vice President Khuraijam Athouba said, neither IPSA nor the valley people of Manipur are against any civilians of the hill areas but the hill leaders are misleading them. He pointed out that the bill includes provisions under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which the people of Manipur have been objecting for quite sometime. Athouba said that the bill seeks to create Naga Autonomous Council and Kuki Greater Autonomy and it will bring disharmony among various ethnic groups who have lived together in Manipur for over 2000 years as well as threaten the State's territorial integrity. He urged the state leaders to consider the disastrous impact once the bill becomes an Act. He also informed that IPSA will hold a public discourse on the bill to raise awareness on its demerits.
On the other hand, All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has espoused Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021. Speaking to media at ATSUM office in Adimjati Complex, Chingmeirong today, ATSUM General Secretary S.R Andria claimed that the bill will help in bringing equal progress in both hills and valley regions of Manipur. He urged all stakeholders concerned to introduce and discuss the bill in the house of the ongoing Monsoon session. Andria added that Hills Autonomous Council holds responsibility of empowering ADCs. ATSUM also called total shutdown in hill areas of Manipur starting from the midnight of August 22 till the midnight of August 23 in support of the bill and against the possibility that state leaders may fail to introduce the bill in the ongoing monsoon session of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Shouldn't fighting the dreaded Coronavirus Pandemic be the priority when the state is still grappling with daily Covid-19 postive cases as high as 442 and 8 deaths reported in last 24 hours?
MANIPUR GOVT TO SLASH FUEL PRICES
Petrol and Diesel in Manipur to get cheaper by 4 rupees per litre: CM N. Biren
In a big relief to the people of Manipur, the State Government has decided to cut Petrol and Diesel prices. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren today announced that the state government will reduce prices of Petrol and Diesel by 4 rupees each per litre. As per the announcement, petrol price in Manipur will now be 102 Rupees and 36 paise per litre and Diesel price will be 90 Rupees and 64 paise.
The Chief Minister announced the same today at the felicitation ceremony of the 5 Tokyo 2020 Olympians from Manipur, Boxer MC. Mary Kom, Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, Judoka Likmabam Sushila, Hockey players Pukhrambam Sushila and Shanglakpam Nilakanta. Speaking at the event organised by Youth Affairs & Sports, YAS, Manipur at the indoor stadium of Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Chief Minister N. Biren assured that an official notification on the slashing of fuel rates will be issued soon.
State Government felicitated the five Tokyo 2020 Olympians with cash rewards and presented job appointment letters to Judoka Sushila and Hockey players Nilakanta and Sushila on the occasion. The Government has already given job offer and incentive to Tokyo Olympics Silver Medalist Mirabai in July.
305 LITRES OF ILLICIT DIC LIQUOR SEIZED
3 men nabbed with 305 litres of illicit DIC liquor near Khumbong Bazaar
A team of Patsoi Police Station Commando has arrested three men along with large quantity of illicit DIC Liquor last night.
The team arrested them during a frisking drive near Khumbong Bazar Community Hall in Imphal West around 11 PM.As per police reports, arrested persons are 30-year-old Ningthoujam Suresh, son of Late N. Ingocha from Tairenpokpi Awang Leikai, 32-year-old Ningthoujam Khomba, son of N. Awangjao from Tairenpokpi Makha Leikai and 30-year-old Ningthoujam Lorish, son of late N. Gopal from Tairenpokpi Awang Leikai.
Acting on a tip-off on movement of suspected suppliers of DIC Liquor from Tairenpokpi towards Khumbong in an unknown Bolero vehicle, the police team under the overall supervision of Imphal West SP Dr. S. Ibomcha chased down and intercepted the Bolero vehicle bearing registration number MN-O1-AG-7110 coming from Ngairangbam and moving towards the IVR Khumbong Bazar. Upon checking the vehicle, police team recovered 305 litres of illicit DIC liquor.
Arrested persons along with the seized liquor have been handed over to State Excise team for further legal action.
AMPHETAMINE WORTH RS. 5 CR SEIZED AT KAKCHING LAMKHAI
A team of Anti-Smuggling Unit of Customs Division, Imphal today arrested a man with contraband worth around 5 crore rupees at around 9.30AM.
As per police report, the arrested person is 31-year-old, H.L. Shongkhogam Mate, son of H.L. Khaikholun Mate of Tengnoupal Bazaar, Chandel. Acting on specific information, the team arrested him at Kakching Lamkhai. He was carrying the drugs in a blue colour cement bag. Police found three brown colour packets labelled "3030 Export Quality", two Black colour packets and recovered 50 thousand amphetamine tablets, weighing about 5 Kg from the packets.
Police has registered a case against him under the relevant section of ND & PS Act, 1985 for necessary legal actions. Investigation is also underway to nab others involved in the case.
