Imphal, 04 August 2016  : Forest Department yesterday evicted encroachers from a Reserved Forest area at Lamlongei Lokchao Nepali Basti under Heingang police station. Staff of the department dismantled about 20 houses constructed in the area yesterday morning.  Officials said the department has repeatedly asked the encroachers to leave the Reserved Forest area. They also said despite the warnings the encroachers constructed more houses in the area forcing the forest department to evict them. About 20 houses were dismantled . On the other hand, an evicted man said they were not given notice ahead of the eviction by the authority. He said they were suddenly evicted without warning. The evicted people urged the authority concerned to give them some more time to shift their belongings to another place.

Imphal, 03 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Olympic bronze medallist and Rajya Sabha member Mary Kom yesterday expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the training and the diet provided to players participating in international sporting events. The Five-time world boxing champion, making her first intervention in the Upper House during Question Hour, expressed concern about proper training for the players as well as the quality diet for them. She said a diet chart for sportspersons was given only when they enter major competitions and not during training. She asked the House “And how is the athlete expected to perform in the competition, when he/she has not been given adequate support in the months prior?" Her intervention was lauded by the members with thumping of desks. Union Minister of State for Sports, Vijay Goel said he will look into specific complaints if any. He said the government was spending as much as Rs 30 lakh to Rs one crore on training each of the 119 players representing India in the Rio Olympics and preparations for the next Olympics in Tokyo have also already started. Though she missed the participation in the Rio games, the Manipuri boxer conveyed her best wishes to the Indian Olympic contingent from the floor of the house.

Imphal, 02 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : BJP Manipur Pradesh Mahila Morcha has questioned "Why the government cannot repair the two Ima Keithel in Khwairamband Bazar 6 months after they were damaged by earthquake on January 4 this year ? ". President of BJP Manipur Pradesh Mahila Morcha, Sumatibala Ningthoujam told the media persons at the BJP office at Nityaipat Chuthek that why the government has so far done nothing to repair the two markets event after it said they will be repaired. She alleged that the govt has ignored the poor women vendors who are struggling for their survival in the markets. She maintained that Mahila Morcha will extend support to all the agitations launched by the women vendors. Sumatibala said the party has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Urban Development on the matter.

Imphal, 02 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Two houses were completely destroyed in a major that broke out near Sawombung Thogkhong in Imphal East last night. The houses belonged to Haobam Merajao, 60 years and  his younger brother Haobam Ibomcha, 55 years. The fire broke put around 7 pm. Sources said the fire which originated from the kitchen of Merajao. A gas cylinder exploded and the fire spread in the rest of the house. Neighbours' attempt to control the fire were in vain. By the time the fire tender arrived at the spot maximum damaged had already been caused to the houses. Properties worth several lakh of rupees had been destroyed in the fire.

Imphal, 02 August 2016 ( Evening News ) : Directorate of Ayush today launched the project BELLADONNA - 200 to prevent Japanese Encephalitis in the state. The project was launched at SPOON Multi cuisine Restaurant at Dewlahland. In the first phase medicines will be distributed to 15 lakh people free of cost. Speaking at the function, Ayush Director Dr. K Lokendra said there is no guarantee that BELLADONNA-200 will completely cure Japanese Encephalitis. It is just a preventive measure. Health, Family Welfare and Ayush Commissioner PK Singh said there is no need to panic and the spread of the disease is under control. He said measures like fogging, vaccination have already begun and more fogging machines will be bought. The commissioner also stated that mass vaccination has been started for children starting from 0 to 15 years who are more vulnerable to the disease. He also maintained that will be no side effects of the medicine as it is extracted from plants. The medicine BELLADONNA-200 will be distributed today to Chief Medical Officers for Primary Health Centres and to Medical Superintendents for District Hospitals.