Imphal, 21 March 2017 : Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been elected the speaker to the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly. BJP won the floor test with the support of 32 MLAs excluding the speaker. The process of choosing a full fledged speaker began at 10:30 AM. Govindas Konthoujam from congress and Yumnam Khemchand Singh from BJP ran the race to the speaker's chair. Protem Speaker, V. Hangkhanlian directed the BJP to raise a motion for electing Khemchand as the speaker of the house. After the BJP raised their motion, the protem speaker asked the congress to raise the motion for electing Govindas as the speaker. 31 MLAs from the BJP raised a motion to elect Khemchand as the speaker while 25 MLAs from the congress raised a motion to elect Govindas. Later, the Protem Speaker, V. Hangkhanlian ordered for a voice vote. During the voice vote, Ayes were raised at Khemchand and later “ayes have it” was announced thrice by the protem speaker to elect Khemchand as the speaker of the house. Chief Minister, N. Biren and opposition leader Okram Ibobi escorted Khemchand to the speaker's chair. Speaker Khemchand thanked the members of the house for permitting him to be the speaker of the house. Chief Minister, Biren, opposition leader Okram Ibobi Singh and the MLAs welcomed the new speaker and expressed confidence that he will discharge his duties without any partiality. Before taking up further agendas, the speaker postponed the proceedings until 12:30 in the afternoon

Imphal, 20 March 2017 ( Evening News )  : Leader of Congress Party and former Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi has threatened of retaliations if the newly formed BJP led Govt takes up any actions against the 7 new districts formed for administrative conveniences. Speaking to media persons at the residence of Nambol MLA, Loken at Ghari last evening, Ibobi further said the congress party welcomes the lifting off of the 139 days old economic blockade called against the creation of 7 new districts, however it will bring a bad name to democracy if it is being done for the sake of power with an understanding with the NSCN-IM. He said the congress Govt tried its best while at power to end the blockade and that it has been ended by the BJP led Govt as promised by the Prime Minister in the election campaign. Ibobi questioned if the blockade would have continued if there was no BJP Govt. He said it was not encouraging for the congress party to witness various union ministers camping at Imphal and resorting to horse trading in order to form the Govt by hook or crook.

Imphal, 20 March 2017 ( Evening News ) : President of United Naga Council (UNC), Gaidon Kamei and UNC’s Information and Publicity Secretary Shangkhel Stephen were released unconditionally by Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East Court, today. Meanwhile the Court has  also directed the complainants to appear before the court by march 27th. Gaidon Kamei and Shangkhel Stephen were produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East Court, Lamphel at 11 this morning. After hearing the Accused Counsel, Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) State Government and Investigating officers’ decisions,  CJM Imphal East , A.Noutuneshwari declared Gaidon Kamei and Shangkhel Stephen as innocent. It maybe mentioned  that 6 different cases were registered against Gaidon Kamei and Shangkhel Stephen  at Mao,Tadubi and Nungba police stations and they were on  judicial remand. However, Incharge Officers said there are no evidences against Gaidon Kamei and Shangkhel Stephen in these cases at the Court today.

Imphal, 19  March 2017 ( Evening News ) : The UNC will lift its economic blockade from midnight tonight. Representatives of Government of India, State Government and UNC held a tripartite talk today at the DRDA Conference Hall in Senapati Headquarters. Additional Chief Secretary, Suresh Babu represented state govt while Joint Secretary Home North East in charge, Satyendra Garg  represented the Centre. Members of UNC Core Committee,  former Presidents, Paul Leo, Samson Ramei, Lohrii Adani, General Secretary, SC Milan,  ANSAM President, Seth Satshang and Naga Women Union President Tabitha were present at the talk.

Imphal, 19 March 2017 ( Evening News ) : Protem speaker V. Hangkhalian today administered oath to the elected members of the 11th Manipur state assembly. The elected members took their oath in the assembly. Former chief minister Okram Ibobi and the congress MLAs occupied    the opposition benches. The swearing-in began at 11 am sharp. However chief minister N. Biren and some of the opposition members arrived late. After the members took their respective seats, the protem speaker V. Hangkhanlian asked them to fill in the oath-taking forms. He then administered the oath to the members. The house also observed a 2-minute silence as a mark of respect to the late Rajya Sabha MP, Haji Abdul Salam who passed away last month. Ashab Uddin who is elected from Jiribam also took oath today. The speaker will be elected tomorrow. The floor test has also been scheduled for tomorrow.