Imphal, 12 February 2017 ( Evening News ) : In a new development, National People's Party, NPP candidate Ngangbam Robert has withdrawn from contest in Singjamei constituency in the 11th state assembly elections. A  BJP aspiring candidate, Ngangbam Robert left the BJP after he was denied the BJP ticket and joined the NPP. The NPP yesterday announced his name as the party's candidate in Singjamei constituency. Robert announced his decision to withdraw from the contest today at a meeting with his supporters at his residence at Chingamathak. Some of his supporters even cried as he announced his decision not to contest the assembly election. He said he wanted to contest the election on BJP ticket but he was denied the ticket by the party. He said he resigned from BJP and joined NPP as per wishes of his supporters.  Robert said before he took the decision he discussed the matter   with his election committee and workers in detail. He said he will contest the next assembly election either as the candidate of a political party or an independent candidate. Robert also stated that he will continue to serve the people even though he does not contest the election.

Imphal, 11 February 2017 ( Evening News ) : Veteran politician and former congress president and minister Phungzathang Tonsing from Churachandpur constituency who resigned from the Congress party yesterday has joined the National People's Party.  Phungzathang Tonsing who had been elected from Churachandpur on Congress ticket for several terms today said he joined the National People’s Party to bring change in Manipur. He made the statement at the political conference of NPP candidate in 12 Keishamthong, former education minister, Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar at Pishum Ningom Leirak YLL Ground. He said he joined the NPP considering the present situation in Churachandpur and wishes of the people. The former Congress minister maintained that the people now want an alternative government to Congress and BJP. NPP National President Conrad K Sangma, National General Secretary Vivek Raj Wangkhem and several party leaders attended the conference.

Imphal, 11 February 2017 : BJP Manipur Pradesh in-charge Prahlad Singh Patel asserted that the party focusses on the development of the North East states as the party is determined to bring development in NE region. He said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement of rupees two thousand two hundred crore package for construction and maintenance of roads and bridges in his recent visit to Manipur is the right example of the centre's determination to develop NE states. Pralad Singh Patel was speaking at the flag hoisting of BJP candidate in Heingang constituency Nongthongbam Biren at his residence at  Luwangshangbam Mamang eikai. The BJP leader added that the party wants a peaceful Manipur with no bandh and blockade. He maintained that the same has been repeatedly expressed time and again by BJP President Amit Shah.

Imphal, 11 February 2017 : Earlier on his arrival at the Imphal International airport   BJP Manipur gi In-charge and Lok Sabha MP Prahlad Singh Patel told media persons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to come to Manipur to attend a Political Rally in the last week of this month. The BJP leader arrived in Imphal yesterday to campaign for the BJP as electioneering gains momentum in the state.

Imphal, 10 February 2017 ( Evening News ) : Manipur also observed the national Deworming Day. State Health Society, Manipur held the day at the Angawadi Centre at Shamushang. Principal secretary of social welfare, JC Ramthanga, commissioner Education-S, directors of Social Welfare and Family Welfare Services and angawadi workers and helpers attended the event. JC Ramthanga inaugurated the event by administering deworming tablet to a child. Parents and guardians from the area also brought their minor children to administer deworming tablet. Deworming tablets were also administered to minor students of government primary and upper primary schools on the day.

In one of the country's largest single-day public health initiatives, an estimated 34 crore children will be administered de-worming tablets today to reduce worm infestation that can stifle physical and intellectual growth. The Health Ministry for the first time will also cover private schools and has asked state governments to rope them in, while it has set up 210 monitoring centres across the country to tackle adverse reactions of the tablet like stomach ache and vomiting. India has the highest burden of worm infections in the world, with the World Health Organisation estimating in 2014 that over 22 crore Indian children aged between 1 and 14 years are at risk.