Visually impaired Premjit paves way in voluntary blood donation.

 “My abiding spirit of serving the society with the best of my capacity, keeping aside my hardship of being a differently abled person, enables me to take part in voluntary blood donation since my 18 year of age.”

This was stated by Khundrakpam Premjit, in a chat with the IFP, who had lost his vision when he was just 10 years old, but spirited enough to donate blood 58 times.

A trustee of Life Saver Manipur, Premjit, 37, son of Kh. Binoy and Kh (o) Radhe, of Lamdeng Makha Leikai Imphal, recalled that for the first time he donated blood in 1999 and during that time he doesn’t know anything about the advantages of blood donation except saving someone’s life.

But later he came to know that donation of blood regularly gives lots of health benefit to donors such as it controls heart disease, controls cholesterol level, removes excess iron and so on.

Recalling the circumstances that made him to become a regular blood donor, he said, “A report in one of local dailies about insufficiency of blood at RIMS pinched my heart thinking about the problems the people in need of blood must have faced.”

He continued, “From that day onwards there was no turning back. I along with my other eight friends who all are physically challenged like me started donating blood and took out campaign in various part of the state as well.”

While appealing people of the state who are physically fit to donate blood, he said that through this noble deed we can save many lives and it is the easiest way to give joy to people who are in distress.

Head of department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine RIMS, A. Barinder Sharma said that despite increase in the number of voluntary blood donors in the state, the demand are unable to meet. So far only 40 percent of demand is being supplied from blood bank, he pointed out.

He further said that the only means to meet the demand of blood is to increase the number of voluntary blood donors as the blood donated from them is free from risks.

When asked about the step taken up my RIMS to increase the number of voluntary blood donor, he said creating mass awareness about the importance of blood donation is the only means to increase the voluntary blood donor and the institute is doing very well in this aspect.

He informed that during April 2015- March 2016, the institute had conducted 35 camps in associations with various organisations and received 4779 units including family donor of the ailing patient, from April 2016- March 2017, 42 camps were held and received 5456 units of blood including family donor of the ailing patient.

Again during April 2017- March 2018, the total number of blood collected from 52 voluntary blood donation campaign organised by institute in collaboration with various associations was 3178 unit (this unit doesn’t not include family donor). For the period of April 2018- March 2019, 43 campaigns has already completed and collected 1115 unit blood excluding family donor, he added.

He expressed that this clearly shows that the objective of conducting campaign is being fulfilled to some extend but we could not achieved the target of 100 percent supply of blood from blood bank. Therefore we have to focus more in spreading awareness about necessity of blood donation, he added.

Due to lack of proper transportation and technical problem, blood donation campaign could not be reached to far flung areas of hilly districts, he lamented.

Appealing people of the state to extend helping hand to people who are in dire need of blood, he said that there is no substitute for human blood.

Further he maintained that blood cannot be manufactured in any laboratory. Regular blood donation by a large section of society is insurance for all, he added.

Source Imphal Free Press

Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Commemoration to be held at Churachandpur

The chairman of the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Commemoration Committee, Khaimang Chongloi and his team announced in a press conference today that the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Commemoration 2018 will be held at Kuki Inpi Churachandpur (KIC) complex on October 17.

Khaimang said the commemoration will be held in Churachandpur district for the first time, for which a district level sub-committee has also been set up with LetzamangHaokip and Seiboi as convenor and co-convenor respectively.

"The Anglo-Kuki War was fought to unify all Kukis and to get independence from others. All must come to the centenary commemoration day," said Khaimang. Last year it was held at Lonpi village of Chandel district, he added.

Source Imphal Free Press

Five accused in Thaoroijam killing remanded to judicial custody

The five individuals who were arrested in connection with the mob lynching at Thaoroijam of one Md. Farooque Khan, 26, of Lilong Haoreibi were remanded to judicial custody for 15 days by the court of chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West today.

The five accused persons are identified as M. Girani Singh, 50, son of (late) M. Gopal of Thaoroijam Mamang Leikai, Ch. Subaschandra Singh, 45, son of (late) Jugeshor of Thaoroijam Maning Leikai, Phamdom Shamu Singh, 51, son of Ph. Ibopishak of Thaoroijam Awang Leikai, Ksh. Naoba Singh, 23, son of Ksh. Inaocha of Tharoijam Awang Leikai and Ch. Ibomcha Singh, 35, son of Ch. Jugeshor of Thaoroijam Maning Leikai.

They were produced before the court by the investigation officer (IO) of the case with a prayer to remand them to judicial custody for the smooth investigation of the case.

It may be recalled that Farooque was caught and beaten up by locals of Tharoijam in the early morning of September 13 for allegedly trying to steal a Honda Activa from the garage of the accused Girani.

Subsequently Farooque was evacuated to RIMS casualty for treatment but the medical officer declared that he was brought dead.

The IO of the case submitted that the video clipping of assaulting the deceased uploaded in the social media were seized in the form of CD and photographs by observing formalities.

By observing the video one stone suspected to be used by Girani and a bamboo stick suspected to be used by Subhaschandra while assaulting the deceased were recovered and the apparels of the two accused while committing the crime were also sized, added the IO.

It is reported that during further investigation the accused persons have admitted to have committed the said crime.

The IO further submitted that a few of the persons seen in the video uploaded in the social media and by the disclosure of the arrested accused persons are still at large and absconding from police arrest.

“A prima facie evidence is well established against the under noted accused persons, if they are given bail there is high chance that they will collude with the yet to be arrested involved persons to destroy evidence and will threaten the involved persons and their families which are yet to be arrested not to surrender before the authorities,” maintained the IO.

Further the IO continued that a good numbers of prosecution witnesses have been examined and accordingly statements are recorded which are corroborated with the case. For the remaining accused persons wanted in the case are under surveillance under private source so as to arrest them in quick time ahead, he added.

It may be mentioned that the Manipur Human Rights Commission has also taken up a suo-motto case in connection with the incident and the commission has directed the DGP Manipur to take enquiry in the matter and submit a report by September 22.

Source Imphal Free Press

ACOAM Lup decries NERAMEC’s move to register Chak-hao Poireiton

Expressing concern that the indigenous rice crop Chak-hao Poireiton might get fiddled into wrong hands, ACOAM Lup has drawn the attention of the state government to get Geographical Indication (GI) of it without any delay.

Vice president of ACOAM Lup, Sanjit Soraisam while speaking to the media at its Lamphelpat office today said Chak-hao poireiton is a rare indigenous product of the state. Once the Chak-hao Poreiton is cultivated outside the state its farmers’ effort of preserving and promoting the crop will go in vain, he said.

Sanjit further claimed that the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMEC) under the DoNER ministry is trying to register the indigenous crop.

“But the department concerned of the state government has been keeping mum in this regard. If the company registers the crop under its name the state farmers will face problem in the future when they want to cultivate it”, he said.

Sanjit appealed the state government to take up special measures to tackle the problems faced by the farmers. “By helping the farmers of the state can reduce the state can reduce the dependency of crops from outside the state”, he added.

Sanjit censured the state government for neglecting the plight of the farmers which has led to over-dependency of food crop from outside the state.

He went on to warn the state government of different forms of agitations if the latter fails to take notice of the demands.

Director of Phou-oibee organic producer company limited, Ahongsangbam Marjit Khuman who was also present in the media briefing came down heavily against the move of NERAMAC to register Chak-hao under its name. He urged the Agriculture department to take initiative to register Chak-hao Poireiton under the state’s name.

He also said the government should fix the minimum support price for the interest of the farmers at the earliest.He further questioned the credentials of the farmers who names are mentioned in the 3rd point in the regulation of GI.

“The four farmer groups from four districts of Manipur, Chingarel Organic Producer Company limited, Phou-oibee Organic Producer Company limited, Chak-hao Poireiton Organic Producer Company Limited and Apunba Organic Producer Company limited do not have any knowledge regarding the GI registration by NERAMAC”, he said, adding that without the knowledge of the farmers the company simply cannot add names.

Source Imphal Free Press

143 Bn CRPF launches cleanliness campaign

The 143 Battalion, CRPF, Lamphelpat launched a cleanliness campaign on September 19 under the lead of commandant, Lal Chand Yadav.

A release signed by commandant, 143 Battalion, CRPF stated that the cleanliness campaign is a part of the Swachta Hi Sewa (Cleanliness is Service) campaign which is being organised by the battalion from September 15 to October 2 is a precursor to mark the 150thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The campaign is to accelerate the Jan Andolan for realising the vision of Clean India, reinforcing that ‘Sanitisation is every one’s business’, it added.

The campaign is held with the objective of mobilising and creating awareness on environmental cleanliness in the entire country as well as in Manipur towards the making of a ‘New India’, said the release.

Source Imphal Free Press

State cabinet approves introduction of anti-mob violence bill.

The state cabinet has decided to introduce the Manipur Mob Violence Control and Prohibition Bill in the State Legislative Assembly soon.

The decision was taken in a historic cabinet meeting held for the first time at Jiribam district headquarters today. It was the fifth cabinet meeting held outside the state capital.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, works minister and government spokesperson, Th. Biswajit said that the rate of awarding instant punishment by mobs without any fair trial is increasing each day in the state. As such, the new bill would be introduced in the House to check such injustice, he added.

The minister said that the cabinet also decided to restart functioning of Jiri tea estate in PPP model through open tendering. The total area of the estate is 1100 acres, out of which 400 acres would be used in tea plantation, 600 acres in rubber plantation and 100 acres in coffee plantation, he added.

He further said that the cabinet also gave its nod to revive Manipur State Lottery as well. However, lotteries would be conducted outside the state, and no lottery ticket would be sold in Manipur, he said. The state is likely to earn Rs.50 crore to Rs.60 crore through this lottery every year, said the minister.

He further informed that the cabinet also fixed Rs.40 per square feet as land compensation for construction of Ukhrul-Toloi-Tadubi National Highway. He said that the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) would start construction of the road soon once the issue of land compensation is sorted out.

The cabinet also approved reimbursement amount of Rs.20,53,740 for 17 Manipur police, Manipur Rifles and IRB personnel who were given treatment at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute.

Source Imphal Free Press

Customs seizes WY tablets worth Rs. 3 crore

Thirty thousand WY (world is yours) tablets worth around Rs. 3 crore were seized from the procession of one individual today from Moreh petrol pump, Chikim Veng along the national high way-102.

The above drug was seized by a team of Custom Preventive Force, Moreh led by its superintendent after acting on a specific information about the smuggling of drugs in that area.

The arrested individual is identified as David Doungel, 32, son of Shigil Doungel of N. Chajing, Kangpokpi district.

Speaking to the media today at the Sangakpham office of the Custom Division, Imphal, assistant commissioner, R.K. Darendrajit said the seized contraband amphetamine tablets was of Myanmar origin and the said drug was intercepted today morning at around 10.30 while trying to transport to Imphal.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 against the arrested person and further investigation is going on, he added.

Source Imphal Free Press