Man running out of fright upon seeing police clamping corona curfew falls in the Imphal River near KR lane, Golapati GESCDO ground, Imphal East District; Search by SDRF team remains fruitless till the time of filing this report

COVID-19 infection and deaths are not receding in Manipur with 832 new cases, 10 deaths and 957 recoveries in the past 24 hours. Death toll reached 1,566 and active cases are 10,405. Meanwhile, unwanted incidents related to the Coronavirus induced curfew are on the rise. After the intense scuffles of July 30 between curfew violators and police, yet another unwanted curfew related incident occurred in Imphal East District this evening. A man fell in the Imphal river as he was reportedly running away from the police who were tightening Coronavirus induced curfew in the area around 5PM today.

MPCC Ex-President Govindas Konthoujam joins BJP; CM N. Biren calls Govindas his long lost friend; Biren calls Congress, a bus with sleeping driver 

Ending days of speculation, Ex-President of Manipur Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, MPCC Govindas Konthoujam officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party  today. The Ex-Bishnupur MLA who had recently resigned from Manipur Legislative Assembly and from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress days after resigning from the MPCC President post was formally inducted into the BJP at the Party National headquarters in New Delhi this afternoon. Chief Minister Biren presented a welcome party stole, a bouquet and the official joining letter to Govindas in the presence of Union Minister of State RK. Ranjan, Rajya  Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba,  President of BJP Manipur Adhikarimayum Sharda, BJP Manipur In-charge Sambit Patra and other party leaders at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren claimed that other state MLAs are also joining the party very soon. He called Govindas his longtime friend since their membership together in the congress party before joining the BJP. On a sarcastic note, the chief Minister asked, if the driver is asleep, how will the bus move? Biren said that they had worked together in the past and will work together again to strengthen the party's foothold in Manipur to bring political reformation for the welfare of its citizens. Biren mentioned that Govindas was  to join the BJP earlier but couldn't owing to some inconveniences.

Chief Minister N. Biren lauded the BJP led Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving due emphasis on the North East region of the Country. He said that the BJP led Central government created history by recently appointing 5 political leaders from the North East states as Union Ministers. Biren also claimed that the BJP led State Government under the guidance and support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally restored peace in the state which was earlier plagued with violent incidents, fake encounters, General Strike, Blockade and unrest during the regime of the previous Congress government. He mentioned that it was the Prime Minister Modi led government that extended Inner Line Permit System in Manipur, for which people of the state will extend their gratitude to the centre by voting for BJP candidates in the upcoming general elections.

Welcoming Govindas Konthoujam to the party, BJP Manipur In-charge Sambit Patra said, Govindas is a well-known political figure in the region and his entry in the BJP is a boon to the party. He expressed happiness that a capable politician has joined the party. Speaking at the event, President of BJP Manipur Pradesh A. Sharda reiterated that people's faith in the BJP goverment is growing everyday owing to various welfare flagship programs that it has launched since it came to power. She heartily welcomed Govindas to the party and said that together, they will strive to ensure BJP's victory in the upcoming elections. After the reception program, Govindas Konthoujam along with N. Biren called on BJP National President JP Nadda.

It is worth mentioning that Govindas Konthoujam had won elections on Congress Ticket for 5 terms and he had cited personal reasons for leaving the party. Interim President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, MPCC N. Loken had stated that there is no way that the Congress Party will lose its strength because of losing Govindas and had claimed that the BJP led State Government might face turmoil in August. He had also refuted rumours on social media that around 8 Congress MLAs might leave the Party as baseless.

Meanwhile, there is heavy trolling on social media about N. Biren calling Govindas his friend on Friendship Day today. Netizens are also commenting about the fate of Intending Congress Candidate of Bishnupur A/C Oinam Nabakishore's political career upon Govindas' entry in the BJP. Some have even termed it as the murder of Nabakishore's political career.

BOSEM creates history with cent per cent pass percentage in HSLC examination, 2021

Manipur has created a history with cent per cent pass percentage in the High School Leaving Certificate Examination. Education Minister Sorokhaibam Rajen today declared the results of Class 10 Examination 2021, conducted by Board of Secondary Education Manipur. The results declaration ceremony was held at BOSEM hall in Imphal's Babupara this afternoon.

Altogether 47 thousand 208 students appeared the exam out of which 23 thousand 252 were girls. 22 thousand 323 students passed in the first division, 21 thousand 79 passed in second division and 3 thousand 806 passed in the third division.

12 thousand 562 students appeared from Government schools, 32 thousand 469 from Private schools and 2 thousand 177 from government aided schools. Imphal West district has the highest number of successful students of 9 thousand 479.

Only 2 thousand 468 students appeared from both Chandel and Tengnoupal Districts, the lowest in all the districts. Results of the students were based on the assessment reports submitted by their respective schools.

Group of Aspirants ready to fight SLP filed at the Supreme Court

Group of Aspirants is all set to fight the Special Leave Petition with regards to Manipur Civil Service Combined Competitive (Mains) Exam, 2016, which is pending at the Supreme Court. It maybe mentioned that the High Court of Manipur quashed the examination on October 19, 2019 after many aspirants approached the court alleging irregularities in the selection process.

Convenor of ‘Group of Aspirants’ Arbind Salam today announced the same in a video release. Speaking to media, Arbin said that those selected candidates who had lost their jobs due to quashing of the exam had filed the Special Leave Petition at the Supreme Court. He termed it unfortunate that fresh conduction of the examination by Manipur Public Service Commission has been hindered owing to the same.

Arbind said, the Group of Aspirants will continue to strive towards rectifying such misconduct of the MPSC and other corrupted government officials. He appealed for public support for the same. Arbind also urged the Government to stop taking transitory actions to appease both parties but to act as per the High Court's judgment.