Echel Club Dibong beat MNC Ningthembam 6 - 4 in the second day of the ongoing 1st Konjengbam Nena Singh Memorial Leimarol Kang Tournament 2014. Echel Club Dibong won the toss and decided to initiate the match while MNC Ningthembam chose the side. K Rajmohon Singh umpired today’s match and Ch Ranjit Kumar was the scorer. LEC Babupara is playing against SAYC Sorok Atingbi today. Altogether 9 teams from Cachar, Jiribam and Imphal are participating in this tournament. 

Yaiskul-C Kangkhut entered the semis of the 10th Players Trophy Mixed League Cum Knock-out Kang Tournament. In the second quarter-final played yesterday, Yaiskul-C Kang-khut defeated Lashal Kang-khut-Leimapokpam 23-15. Fifteen teams are taking part in the tournament organised by Yaiskul Kangkhut at Gopaldeva Mandap, Yaiskul. Yaiskul Kangkhut-A and Yaiskul Kangkhut-B clashes in the third quarter final today. 

Manipur Government joined the week long observation of Quami Ekta yesterday in connection with the 97th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The observance took off at 1st MR Banquet Hall. People attending the observance led by the chief minister took the national integration pledge to foster and reinforce the strength of public harmony and national integration. Speaking on the occasion, Okram Ibobi urged all to jointly face the elements threatening the unity of India. Commerce and Industries Minister, Govindas Konthoujam maintained that apart from remembering Indira Gandhi for her role in strengthening oneness among the people that speak 66 languages and have 22 religions, it is also the sole responsibility of the people to work together to realise her dream. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi at Congress Bhawan. Floral tributes were paid to Indira Gandhi. Ministers, Congress MLAs, Congress workers attended the observance.

Victims of crimes against women including rape, domestic violence, widows and their families have demanded that rapists should be hanged in public places to prevent occurrence of such crimes. Speaking to media persons at the office of Women Action for Development, Palace Compound yesterday, Manbi said they feel sad and get depressed to witness the increase in rape of children, widows and even disabled women. Nurei from Sora village who is yet to get justice for  her sister and brother-in-law who were killed by a mob said crimes are perpetrated against the poor and weaker sections of the society. She said rapists and killers get off scot free in our society. P Captain brother of a girl who was found hanging after her lover allegedly called her out to elope in September 2011 said justice is still a far cry till now. He lamented the delay in filing of charge sheets by the police officers concerned even when Commission for Women recommended to do so. 

In what could be described as an unexpected turnaround, MLA K Sarat of Konthoujam assembly constituency, who demanded disqualification of MPTC’s President, has joined MLA Th Shyamkumar’s team. Speaking to media persons at MPTC’s head office in Moirangkhom, national spokesperson of AITC, Derek O’Brien said the party has begun the process to revoke K Sarat’s suspension. It may be recalled that Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress President MLA Th Shyamkumar suspended K Sarat for filing disqualification against the party member at a time when MPTC was facing internal crisis. MLA K Sarat was also present at the press meet. Mention may be made that MLA K Sarat was told over and again to withdraw the complaint lodged by him to the Speaker. Derek O’Brien further said though the internal crisis went public, Mamata Banerjee has directed to settle the issue. He said the party’s MLAs are now trying hard to work together again. Stating that steps are being taken to raise the issues of Manipur in the Parliament, Derek O’Brien said the party takes a firm stand on issues like AFSPA and ILP.  He said leaders and workers of the party will visit the state at least once in a month to get to know the general public’s views directly. Derek O’Brien also said the party is planning to project M Thoiba in Wangoi, MI Khan in Keirao, H Dingo in Sekmai and P Premananda in Kshetrigao as party’s candidate in the Assembly Election in 2017.