Imphal, 22 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit, JCILP today organised a public convention on the new draft bill ‘Manipur Regulation of Non-Local People Bill, 2016 - MRNP’ proposed by the govt for the protection of indigenous people of Manipur at the Manipur Dramatic Union Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane. Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani opined that the bill is made specially for the non-locals and it lacks provisions for the protection of indigenous people of the state. The name of the Bill itself suggests that the Bill is drafted for the non-locals entering the state. Khaidem Mani also appreciated the public convention organised by JCILPS to thoroughly discuss the minutes of the Bill as a right step. Khaidem Mani also stressed on drafting a consensus bill by retracting a bit on the respective stands by both the JCILPS and the govt. Holding talks by sticking to one point by both sides will not serve anything good for the Bill. Co-Convenor of JCILPS, Ng Deba stated the bill has many flaws such as vague definition of local people, lack of provision for the punishment of those who misuses the permit and lack of proper mechanism for the implementation of the bill. Ng Deba also added that JCILPS can never accept January 21, 1972 as the base year.

Imphal, 22 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Villagers of Top Upopkpi residing near the Lei-taang bridge have appealed to the authority concerned to repair the roads leading to the bridge at the earliest. The bridge connects Wangoi Assembly Constituency and Mayang Imphal A/C. Speaking to media persons Top Upokpi Social Union Secretary L. Birla said 400 metre-long road stretch from Top Upopkpi in Wangoi A/C and Samushang Santipur in Mayang Imphal A/C leading to the bridge has been lying in a deplorable condition. People of the area are facing inconveniences due to the bad road. Samushang Santipur Youth Social Development Club members appealed to the authority concerned to repair the road before the inauguration of the bridge. On the other hand locals of Top Uppokpi have drew the attention of the govt over shortage of teachers in the Top Upokpi Upper Primary School. It is worth mentioning here that out of 5 teachers, 2 were recently transferred to different school.

Imphal, 22 August 2016 : Two hand grenades were found in two separate houses in Takhel Mamang Leikai under Lamlai P.S. The first hand grenade was discovered at the residence of Thokchom Ongbi Priyo Devi, Pradhan of Takhel Gram Panchayat while the second one was found at the residence of Sagolsem Binod Kumar. Sources said yesterday morning around 10,  2-3 unidentified men called out the husband of Priyo Devi and allegedly put the hand grenade in his shirt’s pocket. The second hand grenade was found on top of the gas burner in the kitchen of Binod kumar. Team of  Lamlai PS and personnel of AR Chingarel Post rushed to the spot. Manipur Police Bomb squad retrieved the hand grenades and successfully detonated them at Kanghu Chingol. Local residents staged sit-in at Takhel KeithelIn against the planting of the grenades.

Imphal, 22 August 2016 : Information centre for hill areas Manipur, ICHAM has asserted that the Manipur government is in haste to pass the bill in the upcoming session of the state assembly. It appealed to the govt to discuss the bill with the JCILPS and the people who opposed the earlier bills before passing it in the assembly. Speaking to media persons at the ICHAM office at Lamlong thongkhong, President N. Rajendro said the government should not be in desperate haste to deal the issue involving the people. He maintained that the problem in Churachandpur arose as the people belonging to different communities were not discussed before the assembly passed the bills. Rajendro said the government's invite for people's opinions on website will not serve the purpose. He appealed to the government to take the opinion of both the sides before passing the bill to avoid problem in future.

Imphal, 21 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Former Union Minister Dr. Najma Akbarali Heptulla was sworn-in as the 18th Governor of Manipur today to become the first woman Governor of the state. Dr. Heptulla was administered the oath of office by Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court Rakesh Ranjan Prasad at 11.40 am at the Raj Bhavan. Speaking to media persons, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla said the first thing she wants to know is the priority of the people of Manipur and appealed for support from the citizens of the state. Dr. Heptulla said she has brought the message of peace goodwill and love to the state. Dr. Heptulla said although Manipur is miles away from New Delhi it is very close to the hearts of President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 76-year old Heptulla had resigned as Minority Affairs Minister from the Union Cabinet last month. The resignation had come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have set an age bar of 75 years for ministers. Dr. Heptulla also served as former vice-president of BJP and a five time member of the Rajya Sabha between 1986 and 2012. She was the Deputy Chairman of the House for 16 years. Dr. Heptulla replaced Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan who was holding the additional charge as Manipur's governor. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Council of Ministers, Congress and opposition MLAs, MP Dr. Thokchom Meinya, Rajya Sabha member Mary Kom, BJP President and executive members, top police and civil officials attended the function. Former Union Minister Najma Heptulla arrived in Imphal yesterday afternoon.