Imphal, 01 May 2017 ( Evening News ) : All Manipur Petroleum Products and Driver Association organised a Rally today against the frequent attacks on oil tankers on the Imphal-Dimapur Highway. Drivers who ply on the national highways took part in the rally. They made an appeal to not use them as a tool and to allow them to carry out their duties peacefully. They also appealed the Govt to look into their grievances and demanded adequate security. The rally began from Malom Oil Depot and returned to the depot after reaching Keishampat Junction. Two drivers were injured when unidentified gunmen fired at oil tankers in Kangpokpi yesterday morning. It may be recalled that suspected militants fired at two oil tankers belonging to IOCL/FCI on the 18th of this month around the same time and same location.

Imphal, 30 April 2017 ( Evening News ) : The driver of an oil tanker was injured when unidentified gunmen fire at the vehicle in Kangpokpi this morning. In less than a fortnight, another oil tanker has been fired at early this morning around 5:40 at Changoubung in Kangpokpi area. The vehicle was coming from Dimapur towards Imphal when it was attacked. The driver was hit by a bullet and wounded. Details are still awaited. Sources said a combined team of SP Kangpokpi, commando Imphal east, Imphal west, Bishnupur and IRB Thoubal is conducting combing operation in the area. It may be mentioned that suspected militants fired at two oil tankers belonging to IOCL/FCI on the 18th of this month around the same time and same location. A diesel tanker and a petrol tanker were hit by the bullets causing leakage of oil. The oil tankers were coming from Dimapur escorted by CRPF from Khatkhati. All Manipur Petroleum Transporters Association had condemned the incident saying such attacks have been taking place for the last 30 years. They had also appealed to the Govt to take actions and threatened to carry out intense agitations including cease work. Subsequently 4 cadres who defected from KRA were arrested from Kangpokpi on the 21st of this month. Director General Of Police (DGP), L.M. Khaute had informed the media that the arrested cadres were involved in the firing incident of the oil tankers on the 18th of this month at S. Golai between Kangpokpi and Changoubung.

Imphal, 30 April 2017 ( Evening News ) : Strong winds damaged several houses and uprooted  trees and electric poles, wires and left people injured last night. The storm also blew away roofs of many houses in the Imphal valley. A minor boy was injured in the head when a portion of the building of Manipur Hindi Prachar Sabha at Kongba Road in Imphal east collapsed. He has been admitted to a hospital. The iron sheets of the Eastern Ideal High School in the same location were also blown away by the strong winds. A big banyan tree was also uprooted causing inconveniences to the commuters. Similar scenes were witnessed at Singjamei too. An uprooted electric pole laid along with the wires casing inconveniences to the public. Employees of the electricity department are working to restore the electric poles and the wires. There are also reports from other localities which were hit by the strong storm last night. However there was no report of human casualty. Major damages were witnessed in Imphal East district. The loss due to the storm is estimated to be above 1 Crore Rupees.

Imphal, 29 April 2017 ( Evening News ) : Manipur Cabinet yesterday decided to start Manipur State Transport (MST) immediately to provide efficient and  affordable road transport service to public. An official press release said the modalities will be worked out to introduce bus service within next one month. Manipur State Transport will be owned and run by Transport Department in the initial phase. The arrangement will subsequently involve participation by private operators under the banner of MST. At the initial stage, MST will  connect Imphal with other Districts namely, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Noney, Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Thoubal, Kakching, Chandel and Tengnoupal. The cabinet also decided to create the posts of Superintendent of Police (Traffic) and Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) to maintain traffic in Imphal area. Traffic Police will be attached to all district SPs. The Cabinet also decided to create one post of Deputy Superintendent of Police to deal with and investigate cyber crimes in view of the increasing cyber crimes in the state. It also discussed regularisation of payment of enhanced scales of pay to teachers having requisite qualification and decided to withdraw the cancellation order dated 6/9/2016 issued by the Education Department(S). The Cabinet also decided to restructure the Manipur Development Society (MDS) and hand over the cases relating to irregularities of accounts of Manipur Development Society to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Imphal, 28 April 2017 ( Evening News ) : Four more Congress MLAs today joined the BJP Manipur Pradesh. Kumbi MLA, S. Bira, Wangoi MLA, Oinam Lukhoi, Kakching MLA, Y Surchandra and Saitu MLA, Ngamthang Haokip joined the BJP this afternoon. They  were welcomed by President BJP Manipur Pradesh, Ksh Bhabananda, Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren and other party leaders at the party’s office in Nityaipat Chuthek. The 4 MLAs also signed the primary membership forms of the BJP. Assam finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma who was present on the occasion described the joining of 4 Congress MLAs at the same time as a rare occasion. He asserted that many more Congress are leaving the party as they have faith in the Narendra Modi Govt and Chief Minister N Biren. Himanta Biswa Sarma also said the 4 Congress MLAs joined the BJP without any condition. It may be mentioned that congress MLAs from Andro, Th. Shyamkumar and Singhat Ginsuan Hau had already joined the BJP. Shyamkumar is a minister in the BJP govt. So far 6 Congress MLAs have joined the party. The Congress won 28 seats while BJP won 21 seats in the 11th Assembly elections.