Combined team seizes brown sugar worth around 4 Crore 68 Lakh Rupees on international market near Indo-Myanmar Friendship Iron Bridge

A combined team of Moreh Commando Unit and 5th Assam Riffles seized brown sugar worth around 4 Crore 68 Lakh Rupees on an international market near the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Iron Bridge today in the wee hours.

Impact News sources said the combined team was on a regular patrol near the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Iron Bridge of Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar No. 77 at around 2.15 AM today. The team came across two men coming in a suspicious manner with two big sacks from the Myanmar side. Upon being asked to stop for checking, the duo fled from the scene, leaving behind the sacks.

The combined force found 195 soap cases containing suspicious brown sugar, altogether weighing 8 Kg and 300 grams inside the two sacks. Seized drugs have been handed over to Moreh Police Station for necessary action.

Mass awareness rally by Social Welfare Department calls for safe childhood

Children of Manipur demand a safe childhood. The Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur organised a mass awareness rally against sexual violence of children today. Students of various schools, inmates of Child Care Institutions under the Department, members and volunteers of Associations and NGOs working for the welfare of children took part in the rally holding various placards, some of which read "Stop Child Abuse", "Let the Child be Safe, Free and Alive", "Save Soul Save Child", "Children Aren’t Toys" etc.

Flagging off the rally held on ​"Save The Children: Save The Children" theme from the Western Gate of DM College, Additional Chief Secretary of Social Welfare Department P.Vaiphei expressed apprehension over the rising cases of violence against women and children in recent years in spite of the existing stringent laws against perpetrators. He said that abuse of internet and mobile phones is one of the reasons for the rise in such crimes. He added that child sexual abusers are mostly found to be acquaintances rather than complete strangers. Asserting that abused children suffer from deep mental agony, P. Vaiphei appealed for concerted efforts to stop the barbaric acts of abusing children. He urged the public to let children experience a happy and fulfilling childhood and not traumas.

Social Welfare Department Director Ng. Uttam and Department officials took part in the rally which passed through Imphal City, calling to protect children. It may be mentioned that there are over 150 cases related to the POCSO Act in Manipur since last year till date. 

Over 200 acres of paddy fields develop cracks as drought hits Loitang Chaprou and Ngakra paddy fields in Sekmai Constituency

Farmers of Loitang Chaprou and Ngakra paddy fields in Sekmai constituency are wary over the prevailing dry condition of paddy fields, as cracks are visible in over 200 acres of paddyland. Drawing the attention of relevant departments for help, farmers expressed worry over a possible low yield of rice grains this year.

Speaking to journalists today, Secretary of Lourok Committee Loitang Khunou Kharibam Ingoba said most of the farmers do not own paddyland, hence they cultivate for paddy land owners. He said farmers are also facing the added pressure of giving back the agreed share of rice grains to the land owners. He said the relevant departments could have built an irrigation dam at Sahi Lok, located behind Chirang village, as this could facilitate irrigation of paddy fields at Senjam Chirang, Phumlou, Khurkhul, Koutruk, Loitang, Leikingthabi, Loitang Khunou and Loitang Khullen. Ingoba also said that the relevant departments’ efforts to pump water have failed in the area as the pumps had been stationed at inappropriate spots.

Highlighting the plights facing the farmers who have thrown their hands in the air over the situation, he appealed to the government and the relevant departments to inspect the situation and take necessary measures to help the distressed farmers.