Imphal, 20 August 2017 ( Evening News ) : Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today celebrated the 73rd Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi at Congress Bhawan. Speaking on the occasion, Opposition leader and former chief minister, Okram Ibobi asserted that the congress party can never be wiped out from the country. He compared the congress party to an ocean. Congress leaders and workers offered floral tributes at the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi. MPCC President, TN Haokip administered the “Sadbhavana Pledge” to the gathering. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the event, Okram Ibobi said people must not forget the contribution of Rajiv Gandhi towards the nation's development. The former chief minister said under his leadership India made achievements in the field of Science & modern Technology. Iboibi recalled that Rajiv Gandhi also passed the anti defection law to protect the largest democracy in the world. He asserted that congress party workers will work to realise the dreams of the late prime minister whether  the party is in power or not in the state. Congress MLAs, office bearers of MPCC, councillors and party workers attended the observance.

Imphal, 19 August 2017 ( Evening News ) : Chief minister Nongthombam Biren today  reiterated the need for people's support to make the govt strong and vowed not to betray their trust. The Chief minister was speaking at ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’ commemorating the 73rd birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles. He said the observance aims at strengthening national integrity, patriotism and communal harmony among the people and remembering the late prime minister’s efforts to eliminate terrorism from the people. Biren said it is high time the people of Manipur learned to forget the differences and live in peace and harmony. The Chief minister reiterated that when people start thinking for the welfare of all rather than being self-centred, the state will achieve progress. He also emphasised the need to promote the minority groups so that there will be equal development of all the communities in the state. The Chief Minister said he has requested his Cabinet Ministers not to bring up any community-based or region-centric matters to the Cabinet meeting. He asserted that the govt does not belong to any community or region, and it will work for uniform development in the State. Biren administered Sadbhavana pledge to the gathering. Ministers, MLAs, top civil and police officials attended the event.

Imphal, 17 August 2017 ( Evening News ) : The High Court of Manipur yesterday directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, NHIDCL to submit to the court the documents showing the estimated cost for the National Highway 37, Imphal-Jiribam road project which they have submitted to the centre, as soon as possible. A bench of the high court consisting of Acting Chief Justice N. Kotishwar and Justice Kh. Nobin issued the order yesterday during the hearing of a PIL filed in connection with the National Highway 37, Imphal-Jiribam and National Highway 2, Imphal-Dimapur road project. The bench also directed the corporation to produce the contract agreement entered between the NHIDCL and the three contractors for execution of the work. The Court agreed to give some time to file the documents after the counsel for the respondents requested for two weeks time. It may be recalled that the judges constituting the bench along with a team of Advocate general, senior advocates and advocates of the court inspected the condition of Imphal Jiribam road on the 12th of this month.

Imphal, 15 August 2017 ( Evening News ) : Manipur joined the rest of the country in celebrating the 71st independence day. Chief Minister Nongthongbam Biren today hoisted the national flag at the 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground. In his speech Nongthombam Biren asserted that his 4-month old govt has been able to win people's faith. He said, India has witnessed many changes after it attained freedom and maintained cordial relationships with other countries. He reiterated that the new BJP led state government has brought various developmental changes in its 4- month rule and has been able to resolve several issues in the state. He assured that the govt will take up more developmental works and thwart any threat to the growth and development of the state. Biren said the government is giving due emphasis on Skill development and vocational training to provide employment opportunities to the youth and development of roads and bridges  as well as telecommunications. He mentioned that the govt is putting efforts to promote the tourism sector. Biren also highlighted the govt efforts to improve the business, education  as well as health sector. He however maintained that the  government cannot achieve its dreams if there is unrest in Manipur. Biren said the govt welcomed the surrendered cadres and will help them lead a normal life. Ministers, MLAs, Chairman of Hill Area Committee, top civil and police officials and people took part in the event. ‘Chief Minister Police Medal for Gallantry for 2015-16’ and ‘Chief Minister Police Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty’ were also awarded on the occasion. The first  Chief Minister Police Trophy for Community Service and Chief Minister Police Trophy for Anti Drug Campaign’ were also presented on the occasion.

Imphal, 14 August 2017 ( Evening News ) : Imphal West Police has arrested 3 suspects of the Kakwa Naorem Leikai bomb blast that occurred yesterday. They have been identified as Sapam Nanda, also known as Maker, 50 years, son of S. Sanatomba, a resident of Bashikhong Torban, Pipa yaima Maring,  29 years son of B. Angphun, a resident of Kangkoi Khullen and Thingbaijam Sanjoy, 35 years son of Th. Dronjit, a resident of Kakwa naorem Leikai. Bomb making materials like 81 Gelatin Sticks, 500 Gram of 2 TNT Cases, 6 Circuits, a Remote Control Device, 3 Mobile Phones and 5 Sim Cards that were used to make the bomb were recovered from them. Speaking to media persons at the Conference Hall of Imphal West SP today, S.P, Themtheng Ngashangva said upon receiving news about the blast yesterday, a team of Imphal West led by DSP, Amit and OC, Achouba under the supervision of SP, Imphal West conducted massive search and raids at different places to nab the perpetrators. Sapam Nanda,  a PREPAK Cadre was apprehended during the search. Upon interrogation, he revealed the name of the other two persons involved. They confessed that they have assembled the IED in the morning of aug 13 and planted it around 7 AM. It may be recalled that the bomb exploded at Kakwa Naorem Leikai yesterday morning amid tight security measures taken by the police in view of Independence day celebrations in the state. However, the blast caused no casualty. On the other hand, a team of Imphal West Police arrested 2 KRA cadres from Sangaithel Tunnel no. 12 on the 12th of this month. They have been identified as Ngamboi Haokip alias Raju 37 years son of late Doumang Haokip, a resident of Loinol Khunou Waroi Ching and Seineo Khongsai, 32 years son of Kaikham Khongsai, a resident of Pangmoul Village in Senapati. A 9mm Pistol and 9 live rounds were recovered from these two Self Styled Commandant. A case has been registered.