Imphal, 31 March 2016 : India retained their top position at the 4th International Strength Lifting and Incline Bench press held in Bangkok from March 24 to 28. Five gold and two bronze contributed by Manipuri players helped the team retain the title. Hosts Thailand bagged the runners up in the 8 country competition. Altogether 160 competitors competed in 3 weight categories in women’s and men’s group. Pushparani Devi in 72 Kgs and Bidyarani Devi in 46 Kgs bagged 2 gold each while M Gyanchan Luwang (62 Kgs) won one Gold. Bikramjit (60 Kgs) gave India 2 Bronze. Speaking to a team of Editors Guild, Manipur at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, leader of the Indian team, Babul Bikas Patronobis said India retained the top position for the 4th time in a row. He was also all praise for the host Thailand which successfully organized the championship.

Imphal, 31 March 2016 : A Delhi court today acquitted activist Irom Sharmila in a case of attempted suicide registered against her in 2006.  Irom Sharmila underwent fast at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in 2006 demanding repeal of AFSPA from Manipur. She has been on fast for 16 years. The activist in 2013 had refused to plead guilty in the case, so the court took it to trial, and she has been out on bail since. During her hearing, the prosecutor claimed Sharmila showed the intent to kill herself and that the offence she had committed was clear. However, she claimed she loved her life and was using her fast as a stand against the AFSPA, which gives the Army unbridled power and protection in conflict-ridden states and has been criticised for widespread misuse. Sharmila who has often been charged with the same offence said "I am fed up by trials on the same charge again and again.” She also reiterated her interest in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which she has been unable to do so far.

Imphal, 312 March 2016 : In a new development in the murder of Laishram Naopak of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel, RK Dolly - wife of the accused police Sub Inspector, Laishram Birjit today came out and spoke about the incident in front of media. Addressing media persons at a club at Khuyathong Pukhri Achouba, RK Dolly refuted the media report of an extra-marital affair between the her and the deceased person Laishram Naopak as “baseless”. Some media reports claimed that SI Birjit killed his cousin because he was allegedly having an affair with his wife. RK Dolly further said her husband’s behaviour changed after he returned from Shillong after receiving police training. She said after an incident on Feb 6 her husband was consulting a psychiatrist.

Imphal, 31 March 2016 : A commando team led by Additional S.P, Imphal West, Th. Vikramjit today conducted search operation at PWD Complex. The operation was held to prevent unidentified persons disturbing the works at the Department at the end of the Financial Year. Employees of the PWD and other departments located at the complex were identified. 20 persons who did not have proper identification papers were taken to Police Station for further verification. During the search operation police seized 14 foreign liquor bottles and  20 litres of country liquor from the shops open in the complex. The liquor was destroyed inside the complex. Additional S.P, Th. Vikramjit warned the shop owners not to sell liquor in the complex again.

Imphal, 31 March 2016: Outer Manipur MP Thangso Baite today stressed that the hills are the life line of the state and it is about time the different outfits and organisations in the hills realised that frequent bandhs and blockades affect the progress in the hill areas. Thangso Baite was speaking at the opening of a Public Ground organized by Chepu Yaolen Village Authority, at Chepu Village in Ukhrul District. He said student organisations, any other organisations or an individual, will face problems or difficulties but they can be solved through peaceful dialogues.  He also expressed concern at the degradation of the forest lands and appealed to people to take the  problem  seriously