Imphal, 19 March 2017 ( Evening News ) : Elected BJP member from Churchandpur Assembly Constituency, V. Hangkhanlian today took oath as the protem speaker of the Manipur state assembly. Governor Dr Najma Heptulla administered the oath to V. Hangkhanlian at the Raj Bhawan this morning. Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, his cabinet colleagues and MPCC president TN Haokip attended the swearing-in ceremony. After the swearing-in, the Governor urged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to pass the budget.

Imphal, 17 March 2017 ( Evening News ) : High School Leaving Certificate Examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education Manipur began today. A number of 35 thousand 613 students are appearing in the examination. The examination is being held at 93 centres, the break up being - 21 Board Centres and 72 Private centres. The authorities have imposed section 144 of CRPC around the examination centres to ensure free and fair examination. The Board has constituted 4-member 66 flying squad teams.

Chief minister N. Biren has conveyed his best wishes to the students who are appearing in the high school leaving certificate examination 2017. The HSLC examination popularly known as matric examination begins today. This year 35 thousand 613 students are appearing in the examination.

Imphal, 17 March 2017 ( Evening News ) : Chief Minister Nongthongbam Biren today made his first visit to the Manipur palace this morning and met the titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba. The chief minister discussed the relation between the hills and the valley in the state with Leishemba Sanajaoba. Biren bowed before the portraits of the kings of Manipur soon after he arrived at the palace at 8am to show his respect to them. He said the people of the hills and valley fought together against the British and other invaders to protect the integrity of Manipur. He expressed concern at the lack of unity among the people. Biren appealed to the people to strengthen the unity and integrity of the state. The chief minister said it is the priority of the BJP govt to bring unity and understanding between the people of the hills and valley. He was optimistic that if due attention is given to the development of the hills uniform development can be achieved in 5 -10 years. Biren assured that the encroachment on the territory of the state on Indo-Myanmar border will be looked into and steps will be taken to solve the problem.

Imphal, 17 March 2017 : The BJP has been making efforts to end the indefinite economic blockade. BJP Manipur Pradesh President Ksh. Bhabananda told the media that as promised during election campaign that if the party comes to power it will end the economic blockade in 24 hours, the BJP is making all possible efforts to translate its promise into action. He was responding to media query at the reception of 4 ADC members of Chandel who have joined the BJP yesterday at the party's office at Nityaipat Chuthek. The 4 Congress ADC members who joined the BJP are   Ngamkholal baite of 22 Sugnu,  Ch. Ngamthang Mate of 14 Sibong, T. Seithang Haokip of 18 Songjang and Limkhojam Haokip of 24 Tolling. Bhabananada said the BJP welcomes anybody who have faith in the party.

Imphal, 15 March 2017 ( Evening News ) :Nongthombam Biren was sworn-in this afternoon as the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur. A former journalist and footballer Biren was elected from Heingang constituency. He was a former minister in the Ibobi led congress govt. The swearing-in was held at the Raj Bhawan Banquet Hall at 1.25 pm. Governor Dr Najma A Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to N. Biren and 8 other elected members of BJP,  NPP, LJP and NPF. Former DGP of Manipur Yumnam Joykumar was sworn-in as the deputy chief minister. The other cabinet ministers who were sworn-in today are Th. Biswajit of BJP, L. Jayanta Kumar, Letpao Haokip, N. Kayisii of NPP, Karam Shyam of LJP, Losii Dikho of NPF and Th. Shyamkumar who was elected on congress ticket but joined the BJP. Y. Joykumar represents Uripok, Th. Biswajit Thongju, L. Jayanta Kumar Keishamthong, Karam Shyam Langthabal, Th. Shyamkumar Andro, N. Kayisii Chandel, Leipao Haokip Chandel and Losii Dikho represents Mao. The floor test of the first BJP government in the state will be held on the 22nd of this month. The portfolios of the chief minister, deputy chief minister and 7 cabinet ministers are yet to be announced. BJP national and state leaders, top civil and police officials, families of the newly elected members attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Former chief minister, Okram Ibobi and president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, TN. Haokip attended the swearing-in ceremony. Speaker Th, Lokeshwar, former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam and other former ministers were conspicuous by their absence. Olympian and Rajya Sabha MP Mary Kom, BJP leaders who lost in the recent elections, Th. Chaoba and Yungkham Erabot were also present at the event.  The crowd applauded when Th. Shyamkumar who was elected on Congress ticket shook hands with Okram Ibobi after he took the oath. The Banquet Hall was jam-packed with invitees and several persons remained standing throughout the function.