Imphal, 13 September 2020 (Evening News ) : National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET 2020 is being held all over the country today. Around 16 lakhs students registered for the medical entrance exam conducted by National Test Agency. The exam which started from 2PM will be held till 5PM. The Entrance Exam is also being held at different centres for Manipur amid strict precautions taken up in view of the COVID19 pandemic. Students were made to maintain physical distancing, they were asked to wear masks, use hand sanitiser and hand gloves. Only one student was allotted on a bench and the benches maintain a safe distance. But parents and guardians of the students were seen standing in groups outside the exam centres even if there were police personnels outside the centres.

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test is held over the country today for admission to the undergraduate medical courses. Over 15 lakh candidates are expected to appear in the medical entrance exam which are conducted amid strict precautions in view of the COVID1-9 pandemic. In order to maintain social distancing, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has increased the number of exam centres from 2 thousand 5 hundred 46 to 3 thousand 8 hundred 43, while the number of candidates per room has been reduced from earlier 24 to 12. The crucial exam was deferred twice in view of the pandemic. Candidates have also been issued an advisory guiding them about the 'dos and don'ts' for proper social distancing. Making hand sanitisers available at the entrance of the examination centre and inside the exam hall at all times, replacing the process of checking the admit cards of candidates with barcode readers, increasing the number of examination centres, alternate seating plans, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit are among the steps taken for the exam.

Imphal, 11 September 2020 ( Evening News ) : Education Minister Doctor Thokchom Radheshyam has clarified that news about reopening of schools from September 21st is false news. Speaking to media at his chamber in Secretariat today, the Education Minister said the State government has not decided any specific date for reopening of schools yet. He said that releasing of a new SOP by the Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry on September 8 for students of class 9 to 12, who voluntarily seek guidance from their teachers has brought much miscommunication among the public. Minister Radheshyam asserted that educational institutions will be reopened only after guidelines are released jointly by Union Home Ministry and Union Education Ministry as well as the state government has come up with its own separate SOP. He said that discussions are going on with stakeholders concerned however, no date has been fixed yet for reopening of schools in the state. Minister Radheshyam appealed to hostel owners not to invite students to stay in their hostels on the pretext that schools will be reopened on September 21st as it is false news. He added that the new SOP released by the Union Health Ministry only offers guidelines for those students who voluntarily seek help from their respective teachers. The Education Minister said that date for reopening of schools has not been fixed because saving lives is the top priority amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Imphal, 10 September 2020 ( Evening News ) : Last rites of the 14 year old minor girl from Imphal West district who died after she was brutally raped was held today. People took her body from RIMS morgue to her birthplace chanting various slogans. Manipur police kept a strict vigil to prevent any untoward incidents. Mayang Imphal MLA L. Robindro and Ex Minister Kh. Ratankumar also joined the rally which was participated by representatives of various civil society organisations. It maybe recalled that the brutally raped minor girl was found unconscious in an open field on September 2 and she was immediately rushed to RIMS hospital. But she died on September 3 afternoon. Special Judge (POCSO) Imphal West yesterday sent 6 accused in the brutal gang rape including the parents of the prime accused to judicial custody. Chief Minister N. Biren had also assured that befitted punishments will be accorded to the rapists.

Meanwhile, Manipur Human Right Commission has apprised Manipur DGP to lodge a case against the first miscreant who uploaded the photo of the minor rape victim from Imphal West District on social media.

Imphal, 09 September 2020 (Evening News ) :: Churachandpur Police has rescued a kidnapped young woman hailing from Compound Veng, D. Phailian of Churachandpur District. She was allegedly kidnapped by a 30 year old man, Sandeep Kumar from Dungarpur in Rajasthan last week. According to Police sources, a missing report was received last on September 1. She was reported missing since the previous day around 11:00 AM. A case has been registered at Churachandpur Police Station under IPC 365. During the investigation held under the supervision of Churachandpur SP, a close coordination was established with Rajasthan Police which led to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the accused kidnapper. A rescue team led by SI T. Seikhotinlal Haokip, woman police ASI PT Dodoi along with the victim's uncle left for Rajasthan and traced them on September 5. The team along with rescued woman and the accused kidnapper returned to Imphal yesterday. Further investigations are underway.

Imphal, 08 September 2020( Evening News ) : Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren today disbursed a total amount of 5 Crore, 6 Lakh, 25 Thousand rupees as monetary aid to 7 Thousand 500 Organic farmers in the State through Direct Benefit Transfer. The financial help was provided under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Regions under Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department. Old Age Pension Cards were also distributed to 20 thousand 833 senior citizens who had enrolled themselves under Go -to-Village Mission at the event held at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren said that the Centre has already approved 25 thousand hectares of land for Organic Farming under MOMA in the State which was earlier only 10 thousand hectares. Asserting that Manipur has great potential for Horticulture, he appealed for public co-operation in making the state self-reliant. N.Biren also announced that Government will release forms for Start-up-Scheme in the near future. He urged the talented youths of the state to avail the benefit.