In what could be described as an unexpected turnaround, MLA K Sarat of Konthoujam assembly constituency, who demanded disqualification of MPTC’s President, has joined MLA Th Shyamkumar’s team. Speaking to media persons at MPTC’s head office in Moirangkhom, national spokesperson of AITC, Derek O’Brien said the party has begun the process to revoke K Sarat’s suspension. It may be recalled that Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress President MLA Th Shyamkumar suspended K Sarat for filing disqualification against the party member at a time when MPTC was facing internal crisis. MLA K Sarat was also present at the press meet. Mention may be made that MLA K Sarat was told over and again to withdraw the complaint lodged by him to the Speaker. Derek O’Brien further said though the internal crisis went public, Mamata Banerjee has directed to settle the issue. He said the party’s MLAs are now trying hard to work together again. Stating that steps are being taken to raise the issues of Manipur in the Parliament, Derek O’Brien said the party takes a firm stand on issues like AFSPA and ILP.  He said leaders and workers of the party will visit the state at least once in a month to get to know the general public’s views directly. Derek O’Brien also said the party is planning to project M Thoiba in Wangoi, MI Khan in Keirao, H Dingo in Sekmai and P Premananda in Kshetrigao as party’s candidate in the Assembly Election in 2017. 

Janata Dal United president M Tombi has appealed to the students wing of Joint Committee of Inner Line Permit System to defer its agitation in view of the efforts being made by the political party committee to resolve the issue. Speaking to media persons at the party's office at Babupara, M Tombi, who is a member of the political party committee, said the draft bill prepared by the committee is almost 90% completed. Decision cannot be taken hastily to make the bill a very significant one. However, Tombi was optimistic that the proposed draft bill will be submitted to the government very soon.Expressing his dissatisfaction on the hasty preparation for Manipur Sangai Festival, M Tombi asserted that garbage littered in Nambul River and Imphal City, failure to light up the roads are matter of shame in front of the tourists visiting the state. Tombi also said that neglecting Irom Chanu Sharmila's fast unto death agitation shows that the government is anti-people. Janata Dal will launched a mass agitation with the like minded party if the government do not lift disturb area status from the state in the coming winter assembly session.

Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association, MMTA is introducing ‘human sling shot’ game for the first time in Manipur during the upcoming Sangai Festival. Manipur will be the first Northeastern state to be introduced to the ‘human sling shot’ game. Human Sling shot game is available in 40 places across India. During 10-day Sangai Festival one can enjoy other adventure sports like Spider Net Crossing, boating in artificial pool by real raft, rope bridge, artificial bouldering climbing, repelling, water zorbing, land zorbing and sumo zorbing fight. An MMTA official told Impact News that if the general public like the human sling shot game than they will try to provide the facility even after the festival. MMTA official also added that many adventure sports will be introduced to the people of Manipur during Sangai Festival.

National Executive Committee, NEC of Indian Journalists Union, IJU meet will begin in Imphal from 22nd to 25th of this month. Addressing the media persons at Manipur Press Club, AMWJU President Wangkhemcha Shamjai said AMWJU will host Indian Journalists Union meet. Journalists from 26 states will be participating in the meet. He said 200 journalists are likely to attend the meet out of which 160 journalists have confirmed their participation. Journalists from Bangladesh and Bhutan are also going to participate in the meet. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi  will inaugurate the meet at 1st Manipur Rifles banquet hall at 9 in the morning. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijuju is likely to attend the inaugural function.

Human Rights Initiative Executive Director Wahengbam Joykumar said Meira Paibis of Manipur can’t act as a protector of rule of law. Joykumar was speaking at the seminar, ‘Manipur da Meira Paibee gi Ehou’ held at Rupmahal Theatre. Praising the Meira Paibis, he said under the veil of AFSPA 1958 many innocent people would have been killed if Meira Paibi movement did not exist in Manipur. The people of the state is lucky to have Meira Paibis whose involvement in certain issues is incredible. Joykumar, however appealed the meira paibis not to indulged in criminal cases which comes under the jurisdiction of police. The seminar was organised by All Manipur Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj). Many intellectuals, academicians and experts participated in the seminar.