Manipur Government to axe 14,385 posts
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 2 : As a gift of President's rule to the people, Manipur Government has decided to abolish 14,385 posts in various departments under state government. The relevant order in this regard was issued by the principal secretary (finance) in July 11 last. A special committee was constituted to direct the downsizing programme of the government. As per the recommendation of the committee, the vacant posts in each department would be abolished, while the other posts would be abolished as and when the present regular incumbents retire or vacate the posts. Posts occupied under adhoc/in charge arrangements will be abolished with immediate effect.

The posts to be abolihsed include 2597 posts in education department (school), 1033 posts in health department, 20 posts in the planning department, 4 posts in local fund audit department, 32 posts in the lottery department, 98 posts in the economics and statistics department, 239 posts in the fishery department, 15 posts in the arts and culture department, 34 posts in CADA, 119 posts in the food and civil supplies department, 213 posts in the horticulture department, 197 posts in the agriculture department, 114 posts in the directorate of information and public relations, 158 posts in the cooperative department, 576 posts in the police department, 139 posts in the directorate of stationery and printing, 176 posts in the RD and PR department, 7 posts in the manipur public service commission, 17 posts in the directorate of employment, 24 posts in the office of the labour commissioner, 314 posts in the sericulture department, 425 posts in the directorate of tribals and scheduled castes, 5 posts in the department of youth affairs and sports, 460 posts in the revenue department, 298 posts in the directorate of transport, 5 posts in the department of science and technology, 15 posts in the town planning department, 13 posts in the MAHUD, 45 posts in the PDA, 8 posts in the Manipur Urban Development Agency, 52 posts in the directorate of settlement and land reforms, 24 posts in the weights and measure deparment, 64 posts in the SCERT, 10 posts in the vigilance department, 511 posts in the commece and industries epartment, 33 posts in the state academy of training, 5 posts in the technical education department, 22 posts in the government college of technology, 2 posts in teh government polytechnic, 127 posts in the social welfare department, 131 posts in the tourism department, 8 posts in adult education, 662 posts in the PWD, 115 posts in the minor irrigation department, 393 posts in the PHED, 118 posts in the IFCD, 1 post in veterinary and animal husbandry department, 57 posts in the family welfare department, 4 posts in the Governor's secrtariate and 5 posts in the stationary department.

The aboliton of the government posts is in accordance to the action plan proposed by the Minisry of Home Affairs to the state government. As a part of the action plan, different minor departments will be merged into a single department.
(Report at 0800 hrs of IST of August 2)

Four arreted by State vigilance for embezzlement
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 2 : State vigilance has arrested four persons for embezzlement of Rupees 1,70,905 released for Mayang Imphal Muncipal Council by Manipur Urban Development Agency. The arrested persons were Maringlei Mangoljao, SDC-cum-executive officer/DDO, Mayang Imphal Municipal Council, Sanglakpam Ibochouba Sharma, president, beneficiary committee, Asem Temba Singh, SO/computer highways south division, PWD and Ningthoujam Nilamani, chairperson, Mayang Imphal Municipal Council.
(Report at 0800 hrs of IST of August 2)

Highway Improvement Foundation formed
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 2 : Committee for Development of National Highway which was formed by union of two committee was renamed into Highway Improvement Foundation. It was finalised yesterday in a meeting at the residence of Dr. Ibohal in Keishampat. New members will be admitted to the foundation. The committee was formed for development of national highway 53 which served as one of the important lifeline of Manipur.
(Report at 0800 hrs of IST of August 2)

NSF called bandh in Naga-inhabited areas
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 2 : As a part of chain of protests by Naga people against the limitation of NSCN (IM) ceasefire to the state of Nagaland, the Naga Students Federation has called a 24 hour bandh in Naga inhabited areas from 6 am of August 3. The bandh is expected to cover the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur. Meanwhile, the people is reeling under the highway blockade and bandhs in the hill districts imposed by different Naga NGOs in protest against the decision of GOI.
(Report at 0800 hrs of IST of August 2)

Malaria spread in Tamenglong
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 2 : The dreaded disease of Malaria has been spread in the Dolang Chiru village and surrounding villages of Joujangtek Kuki, Thungsai Kabui, Mangji, Nungleiband, Lamdangmei, Laphok, Thangal, Taosang, Leisak villages in the Tamenglong district, said a former district councillor. About 100 patients from the villages were admitted to the hospitals of Bishnupur. The villagers were waiting for medical team and NGOs said the ex-councillor. He also appealed for immediate attention of the government in this regard.
(Report at 0800 hrs of IST of August 2)

No money to spend
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal August 1: In a strange situation, the account of Manipur Government was freezed from today as the four month Vote-on-Account passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly lapsed yesterday. In the literal sense, the Manipur administration cannot spend a single paise from today till the parliament passes the Manipur Government Finance Bill in the present session.
(Report at 2400 hrs IST of August 1)

One killed 3 injured in encounter
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal August 1: An underground member was killed and two including a police commando injured in a shootout today at Singjamei Mongkhang Lambi. According to official reports, the police commandos were fired upon when they tried to stop a gypsy and in the encounter, an underground was killed and a civillian was injured. A police driver was also injured. The deceased militant has not been identified but believed to be a member of banned People's Liberation Army. A US-made .38 revolver with two live rounds and four empty cases were recovered along with a diary containing details of tax collection from various persons from the dead body. The injured policeman has been identified as Moirangthem Punilkanta. The injured civilians are Thingujam Hengular of Thongju, a 12 year old girl named Ningombam Manda Devi.
(Report at 2400 hrs IST of August 1)

NSCN (IM) softens stand, Ceasefire is on
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : The NSCN (IM) seemed to have softened its stand after threatening to walk out of the ceasefire with the GOI, if the ceasefire is limited to Nagaland state only. Talking to a news service, the leaders of the NSCN (IM) stationed at Dimapur, Nagaland stated that they are still waiting for GOI to clarify how far the ceasefire applies.

In another development, a member of the Naga National Support Centre, which represents the NSCN (IM) top leadership in Europe had stated that the only thing the Nagas want after fifty years of military occupation is peace. According to Mr. Padmanabhaiah as far as GOI is concerned, the ceasefire is very much on.

Meanwhile, the GOI said the four-year-old truce with the NSCN (IM) was holding despite differences over the area covered by the ceasefire. Mr. PD Shenoy, additional secretary in the Union Home Ministry said, that the ceasefire with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim is still in currency and it is holding. He further said, that itt has been amply clarified by the government and the Home Minister L.K. Advani that we are committed to the ceasefire.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

Sangma may be appointed chief negotiator for Northeast
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : The Government has not yet taken a decision to appoint P. A. Sangma as the chief negotiator for talks with NSCN (IM), said Union Home Minister L.K. Advani. Earlier, there were reports that the government had appointed Sangma, general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party, as its chief emissary. The report further stated that he would be assisted by former Union home secretary K Padmanabhaiah, the former main negotiator of NSCN-IM.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Home,Mr. I D Swami said the government had been considering the proposal to appoint Sangma, on the lines of the appointment of K C Pant, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission for Jammu & Kashmir.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

Governor appealed the refugee to return
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : The Governor of Manipur, Mr. Ved Marway today appealed to those people who fled the valley in view of the unfortunate incidents in the wake of the anti-ceasefire agitation, in a meeting of Committee for Maintenance of Communal Harmony held at Banquet Hall, Raj Bhavan, Imphal. The Governor reminded the need for the maintenance of communal harmony that exists from immemorial past. The Governor also appealed to the business community not to hike the price of essential items taking advantage of the present situation.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

UCM submits demand to Governor
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : The United Committee, Manipur had submitted four demands to the Governor of Manipur today. According to the committee, the demands were unconditional release of the students, withdrawal of the cases imposed upon the arrested students, elaboration of security arrangements to protect the trucks and vehicles plying in the national highways from anti social elements and the preservation of Kekrupat as Martyrs Burial Ground.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

NSCN (IM) collecting taxes from highways
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : The NSCN (IM) is collecting taxes in the name of GPR Nagalim Chaplong Region from the trucks and passenger buses from Manipur in National Highway 39. The taxes were collected at the first gate of Dimapur. It was disclosed by the Amrik Singh Pahwa, convenor of the All Community Welfare Association in the meeting of the Committee for Maintenance of Communal Harmony presided over by the Governor of Manipur. Amrik Singh said, the taxes were hiked to Rupees five thousand per vehicle from Rupees one thousand two hundreds. The drivers were threatened by the NSCN (IM) to pay the taxes, he said.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

Vehicles stranded due to Naga blockade
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : About 100 trucks were stranded outside Manipur due to blockade called by the United Naga Council and Naga Youth Front in the hill districts of Manipur from July 30. About 20 trucks were stranded at Bokajan Petrol Pump, 30 in Kharkhati of Nagaland, 18 near army camp at Jakhma, 10 in Moreh and 20 in Moreh. It was announced by the general secretary of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers Motors Worker Union. The trucks were carrying essential items and fertilizers. At present there was no assurance or instruction from the side of Manipur Government, he said. 

Meanwhile, about 26 vehicles including passenger buses reached Imphal safely from Moreh this evening. The vehicles were escorted by the security personnel belonging to Moreh police, IRB and BSF.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)

Government to trim down excess posts
Hueiyen Lanpao News Service
Imphal, August 1 : Facing financial crisis, the Manipur Government have decided to trim down the excess posts in various departments. According to an order issued by the Finance Department on July 11, the promotional activities would be stopped for three months. A cabinet/executive council was constituted to look into the cadre structure of the officers in different governmental departments. The committee chaired by the Chief Secretary will be constituted of additional chief secretary (1), additional chief secretary (2), principal secretary (finance) and commissioner (DP) as members. These steps were taken up to solve the financial crisis and to rectify the financial indiscipline in the state government.
(Report at 2300 hrs IST of August 1)