IMPHAL: Manipur government will present a bill on Inner Line Permit System in the state Assembly. Chief minister Okram Ibobi has assured the all political party meeting held this morning at CM's bungalow that govt will present the bill in the Assembly session scheduled this month. The meeting lasted more than two hours. BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson RK Shivachandra who attended the all party meeting met the media persons at the BJP office at Nityaipat Chuthek. He was hopeful that the movement launched by joint committee on Inner Line Permit System will be successful.  Shivachandra also said both the chief minister and deputy chief minister have assured the all party committee that the bill will be passed during the session.

IMPHAL: Trouble over construction of the controversial Thoubal Multipurpose Project is yet to be over. While the demand for immediate halt in the construction of Mapithel Dam gets louder, issue over granting of Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RR) package to the affected people has become another serious issue. Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar  today alleged that the Mapithel Dam Multipurpose Project Displace Committee’s claim that RR package were distributed to affected people of Lamlai Khunou and Chadong Khul based on valid documents, are false and baseless. Addressing the media persons at his quarters at Kanglapat, MLA Shyamkumar said, head of the officials of Revenue Department wrongfully distributed large amount of RR package. He urged the state government to punish the people involved under Liability Act.  The MLA also told the Mapithel Dam Multipurpose Project Displace Committee that he is ready to discuss the matter in a forum if required. 

IMPHAL: A team of BJP Manipur Pradesh workers led by party President Thounaojam Chaoba today met the bandh supporters of Tengnoupal at Sita Lamkhai and appealed to them to withdraw their agitation. Thounaojam Chaoba assured the people that he will personally report the difficulties faced by people of Tengnoupal on NH102 to the Centre and bring a long-lasting solution to the problem. National Council member, Yangkholet Haokip, general secretaries and members of morchas took part in the visit. The team met the protestors at Sita Lamkhai, where they blocked the roads and prevented people's movement. However, the protestors said they will continue their agitation until and unless their demands are met.  Thounaojam Chaoba further informed the people that he will discuss the matter with central leaders including the Prime Minister and press them to meet the demands. Chaoba appealed to the people of people to withdraw the bandh on NH102 considering not only the problems faced by the people of the state but also by traders on Myanmar border.

IMPHAL: Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam has accused the BJP Manipur president Thounaojam Chaoba of inviting law and order problems in the state by urging the centre to impose president's rule in Manipur. Reacting to what BJP Manipur President Chaoba said yesterday that BJP Manipur will urge the centre to impose President's Rule in Manipur, the deputy chief minister said BJP Manipur President's statement is like asking for Centre's help to create more law and order problems in the state. Gaikhangam was responding to queries by media persons at Central Agricultural University today. He was attending a workshop at the university. He said the law ad order situation in Manipur is good when compared to other states of the country. He maintained that when there was a huge tension between two communities in Gujarat when Narendra Modi was the chief minister, president's rule was not imposed. In response to the allegation on financial misappropriation Gaikhangam said more than 60 percent of centre funds have been utilised by the state. He also said by the end of March 80 to 90 per cent of the funds will be utilised.

IMPHAL: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has categorically said Manipur will not be able to progress fully unless farmers of the state do not make progress. Inaugurating the 2-day workshop on Popularisation of Low-cost Polyhouse for Sustainable Production of Horticultural Crops in North-East at Central Agricultural University, Gaikhangam said 90% of the population in Manipur are farmers.  He also maintained that the state will stop depending on other states for food items only when the condition of the farmers are improved. The workshop is organised by Precision Farming Development Centre, Central Agricultural University.