N Rajendra unveiling the inauguration stone of the market shed at Chingmai Khunou and rendition of devotional songs

Medicinal Board rendered comatose
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 26: Notwithstanding the recognition from several quarters about the richness of Manipur in biodiversity and medicinal plants, the State Medicinal Plant Board has been unable to tap the potential.
Affiliated to the Health Department, the State Medicinal Plant Board was set up under the National Medicinal Plant Board.
Though the Board has its office in the Health Department, its member secretary/nodal officer is posted at the District Hospital Bishnupur and is given normal duty.
As the Medicinal Plant Board remains dismally ineffective, the State is unable to reap any benefits from the rich biodiversity and numerous medicinal plants.
A highly reliable source informed The Sangai Express that even as the National Medicinal Plant Board has entrusted the State Medicinal Plant to disse-minate necessary and useful information to medicinal plant growers from time to time, the State Medicinal Plant Board’s performance in this regard is not satisfactory.
Whether in terms of providing loans to societies/individuals growing medi-cinal plants or organising awareness programmes, the Board has been ineffective.
Moreover, the Board has not been sending any project for cultivation and preser-vation of medicinal plants to the National Medicinal Plant Board.
Last year, two projects prepared by the State Government and another one prepared by an NGO were submitted to the National Medicinal Plant Board through the State Medicinal Plant Board.
But all the three projects were deferred by the Natio-nal Board and as such no monetary grant was forthcoming.
However, for the neigh-bouring State of Nagaland, the National Board has approved the single project submitted to it and necessary funds were granted.
Observing that the Government need to take up some measures to activate the State Medicinal Plant Board and streamline its functioning, the source disclosed that the Board’s member secretary/nodal officer is being posted at District Hospital, Bishnupur with normal duty. On the other hand the presence of the secretary at the Plant Board is vital.
Talking to this reporter about the matter some days back, Health Minister Ph Parijat said that the Department has been directed to select medicinal plants which would find ready markets and be more profitable.

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Mangled torsos of the blast victims, the injured at hospitals, CM visiting the victims, grieving family members comforting each other sum up the story of the terror attack at Ragailong

TERROR STRIKES : 17 killed in blast near Cdos barrack
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 21 : At least 17 people including surrendered militants and civilians were killed when a powerful bomb suspected to be fitted to a Luna moped exploded near the high security Ra-gailong gate today at about 7.30 pm under Imphal West police.
Eleven were killed at the spot while 2 passed away at RIMS and another two at Shija Hospital.
The four killed in the terror attack are identified as Konthoujam Roben alias Meiraba (28) of Nambol Awang Jiri, a surrenderee, declared brought dead at RIMS; Khurshid Alam (41), a tailor by profession and hailing from Madhubani district of Bihar (passed away at RIMS); Ram Babu (17) son of Ugghra of Bihar, died at the spot and Raju Prasad (20) son of Vaidyanath of Buxar district, Bihar and staying at Ragailong.
Chief Minister O Ibobi who visited the dead and injured at RIMS said that the attack was an act of cowardice and assured that the Government will pay adequate compensation to the dead and injured. The Government will not take things lying down, he asserted.
The blast site was strewn with mangled and mutilated bodies and blood and human flesh were scattered all over.
Bare torsos, putrid smell of human flesh and cries of despair greeted this reporter when he arrived at the spot.
About five bodies, blown to pieces were seen lying together in a heap outside the gate of Ragailong. Another two were seen inside the gate towards the Ragailong village.
Cries and screams rend the air as frantic people searched among the remains of human flesh to see if any of their beloved ones were among those felled by the explosion.
Asmat Ara a young housewife told this reporter that she heard a loud explosion followed by cries and screams of pain and anguish and without a thought for her own safety rushed out to look for her husband. Her husband Khurshid Alam was found in a pool of blood and he was rushed to RIMS where he passed away shortly.
S Anand who was more fortunate and escaped with a minor injury said he was taking a walk after dinner when he heard a loud report and then saw the mangled bodies.
DGP Y Joykumar accompanied by IG (LO-I) and SSP of Imphal West arrived at the spot and took stock of the situation. He however refused to take any question from the reporters.
Ragailong is a highly fortified area. To its west is the Commando barrack while to the east is a transit camp of the Assam Rifles while further north there is the 2nd MR complex.
The body count may increase as many are undergoing treatment at different health centres. At JN hospital out of 16 admitted, 6 are in the ICU while another 13 are battling for life at RIMS. Five more are at Shija.
A spokesperson of department of propaganda and publicity of PREPAK has denied any hand in the blast. The BJP has condemned the blast.
Apart from the Chief Minister, Works Minister K Ranjit, Education Minister L Jayenta, IFCD Minister N Biren, MLA Bijoy Koijam and S Keba visited RIMS.

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The site of bomb blast near the Chief Minister’s residence on the northern side, the arrows show the bungalow and blast spot

Police Day : Bomb blast bang near CM’s residence makes celebration go limp
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 19 : It was literally a bucket of cold water after a hot shower ! While the top brass of the State Police Department and other biggies, including political leaders, were celebrating the Police Raising Day with dinner and entertainment pro-gramme at the 1st MR complex, a bomb blast shook the residence of the Chief Minister, with the bomb landing on the road lying to the north of the CM’s bungalow today at 7.55 pm.
Though it is not yet clear whether the blast was a bomb attack aimed at the residence of the Chief Minister, it is significant to note that this is the second time that a bomb has been exploded near the CM’s residence in recent time, the last one being the attack launched in the evening of September 1 this year.
When the blast occured, the 1st MR complex was a scene of celebration with everyone savouring the Police Raising Day held today amid much fanfare.
No one was hurt in the blast but a car, a Tata Indica, belonging to the proprietor of Manipur Golden Travels Limited, Kulwant Singh was damaged.
Kulwant Singh was heading for the dinner programme of the Police Day at the 1st MR complex and the car suffered the damages as the bomb exploded as it was passing by.
With the bomb exploding at about the same time as Kulwant’s car (MN1A-0002) was passing by, police personnel who were on frisking duty near Sanjenthong and near the CM’s residence went after the car and overtook it near the office of the SSP of Imphal West.
The two doors of the car on the right side were hit by pellets from the bomb with the windows shattered. The left tyre of the car was also punctured.
After the initial round of questioning, the police came to know that Kulwant Singh was heading for the dinner programme at the 1st MR complex.
The car has been taken to the Imphal West police station and Kulwant was escorted to the dinner venue by police personnel.
Police are still clueless over the bomb blast though they suspect that the bomb may be a Chinese hand grenade.
Significantly Chief Minister O Ibobi returned to Imphal from Delhi today.
As news of the blast spread, a number of top ranking police officials including the ADGP A Romenkumar, IGP (Intelligence) LM Khaute and SSP of Imphal West L Kailun police and others rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
A team from the 143 Bn CRPF also arrived to get a first hand account of the incident.
The place where the bomb blast occured is a highly fortified area.
The Chief Minister’s residence is manned by two platoons of the CRPF while there is a checking point near Sanjenthong on the eastern side. When the bomb went off today, there were policemen on frisking duty near the Sanjenthong bridge, Nupi Lan complex etc. There was a police Gypsy on duty parked on the northern side of the Chief Minister’s residence.
Towards the northern side is Kangla where the 2nd IRB is housed.
On the western side is the Post Office which is manned by CRPF round the clock while towards the south, there is the Police Headquarters, followed by the office of the SSP of Imphal West, the office of the Chief Secretary in-cluding the Secretariat where a number of Minis-ters sit.
A CRPF officer at the spot said that it is unlikely that the bomb could have been hurled and added that it could have been dropped from a moving vehicle.
At the moment nothing is being ruled out, but at the same time, there is nothing for the police to work upon.
No organisation has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast either, till the time of filing this report late in the evening.
Following the bomb blast and in a typical response to the bomb blast security has been beefed up all over, especially along the all the roads that lead to the Chief Minister’s residence. Additional police vehicles have been put on duty at the Sanjenthong side.

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To highlight the works and programmes taken up under the NREGS in Tamenglong district, a framed poster along with a calendar for the year 2009 was today released by Governor Gurbachan Jagat at Raj Bhawan

Fully electrified Manipur in next few years ?
Manipur Info Centre
NEW DELHI, Oct 16 : “Without power, we will not achieve anything. Be it industries or health care or water supply or any constructions- all depend on electricity. Electricity is the most important essential commodity in our life, which can make life more comfortable and prosperous. Economic growth cannot be achieved without electricity” Manipur Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing has said.
He said that all virgin villages in Manipur would be provided electricity under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) in the next few years.
Under the scheme, some reputed firms had started execution of the works in Chandel and Tamenglong Districts on Turn Key basis. Target for completion of works was two years. After completion of the scheme, it would be handed over to the State Government for operation.
The Power Minister further stated that as for Senapati and Ukhrul Districts, tender had been finalized. For implementation of the scheme in Churachandpur, Bishnu-pur, Thoubal, Imphal West and Imphal East Districts, the State Electricity Department had issued the Notification Inviting Tender on October 9 recently.
The estimated cost of RGGVY scheme of Churachandpur District is Rs 9312.528 lakhs, Bishnupur Rs 1366.777 lakhs, Thoubal Rs 2864.110 lakhs, Imphal West Rs 2864.110 lakhs and Imphal East Rs 3299.039 lakhs.
The reputed firm or company having successfully erected, tested and commissioned a) transmission and distribution lines of aggregate route length at least 100 kms of 11 KV or above voltage class; b) at least two sub-stations or switch-yards of 33kV class or above having at least three circuit breaker bays; c) Installation of 11kV or higher voltage class Transformers and electrification work of High Tension and Low Tension, in the last seven years and which must be in operation satisfactorily for a period of two years as on date of application is eligible for execution of the works.
Phungzathang Tonsing said that besides these schemes, another scheme costing about Rs 99 crore was being taken up for power supply in Greater Imphal under the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP). Work order had been awarded to the tenderer quoting the lowest bid. Under the programme, all the power lines would be laid underground.
The Power Minister appealed to all sections of people in Manipur to extend their fullest cooperation to the firms, engaged by the State Electricity Department, executing the works for its timely completion, in the State’s interest. If they were allowed to work without disturbance, it would be completed on time. Let us see a very comfortable life when we have got uninterrupted power supply, he added.
“We will not have any problem on power supply in Manipur in future. In the recent Power Ministers Conference held in New Delhi recently, it had been agreed to erect 400 KV lines from Arunachal through Kohima to Imphal and another 400 KV lines from Tripura through Silchar to Imphal, the Minister stated.
Tonsing further said that the actual requirement of power for Manipur is 160 Megawatt but the State receives only 80 Megawatt from all sources.
On the charge that the State Government could not provide electricity regularly to the consumers, he said that the consumers were not willing to clear the electricity tax. The State Government is spending around Rs 9 crore monthly for procuring power from different sources.
However, the State Electricity Department can collect only around Rs 2 crore a month at an average. The outstanding power tariff to be realised from the till date is about Rs 200, he informed.
During the current fiscal 2008-09, the State Electricity Department had targeted a revenue collection of Rs. 70 crore, out of which the Department has been able to collect Rs 48 crore so far. For collection of taxes, the State Electricity Department has also entrusted the local bodies by giving 10 % commission. If anybody is found having unauthorized power connection, immediate steps had been taken up for its regularization.
The Minister felt that there was a need for taking up public awareness programmes extensively on the ongoing development of power sector in Manipur so that the public extend its maximum cooperation to the development.

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Traditional dance and martial arts put on display on the occasion of Kwak Tanba

State force involved in Urea smuggling ?
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 9: Following the seizure of 13 truck loads of Urea by 20 Assam Rifles from Molnom, a strong suspicion has been raised that some State security personnel may be involved in smuggling fertilizers to Myanmar.
On the other hand, it has been established that the fertilizers were loaded at Kakching before heading for Molnom via Heikak-pokpi.
According to a reliable source, all the 13 trucks were loaded with Urea at the home of one Moirangthem Santa of Kakching Wairi Khunyai Leikai in the night of October 6.
In the same night, two Tata trucks (TC) loaded with fertilizers arrived at the house of Santa. The fertilizers were soon reloaded on the 13 Shaktiman trucks before taking the road leading to Molnom through Heikakpokpi.
A team of media persons went to the house of Santa today. However they could not meet Santa as he was out.
Nevertheless, his wife made arrangements for a conversation between the media persons and Santa through mobile phone.
During the conversation, Santa disclosed that in the night of October 6, one Thangcha of Nobin village (Saivom village) and one Premjit of Lamshang came to his house and they loaded two Shaktiman trucks with fertilizers, brought in mini-buses (Canters).
He allowed them to do the loading at his home on the request of Thangcha and Premjit as it was raining heavily throughout the night and they feared that the fertilizers may get wet, Santa conveyed.
Disclosing that the fertilizers belong to Thangcha and Premjit, Santa clarified that he was not at all related to the whole transaction. Soon after the fertilizers were loaded on the Shaktimans, they left his house.
However, neighbouring people of Santa contended that even though they did not know the exact number, many Shaktiman trucks were loaded with fertilizers in the night.
The 13 Shaktimans fully loaded with fertilizers passed through Heikakpok-pi for Molnom at about 11.30 pm of October 6, said some IRB personnel posted at Heikakpokpi for guarding the power sub-station located there.
Earlier at about 3.10 am, two Shaktiman trucks loaded with fertilizers were also seen passing through the same route. The two Shaktimans were escorted by a team of 3rd IRB personnel posted at Thoubal.
Taking the name of one Jemadar of 3rd IRB, the escort team told the IRB personnel on sentry duty at Heikakpokpi post that they were escorting the Shaktimans at the command of the Jemadar.
On the other hand, OC of Pallel police station O Lupajao has refuted the statement of the four persons behind the act of smuggling that out of the 13 Shaktiman trucks, six reached Molnom after making an entry at Pallel police station.
The OC further rejected the smugglers’ statement that they paid Pallel Police Rs 1500 for one Shaktiman load of fertilizer, Rs 5000 for Tata trucks (TC), Rs 1000 to Customs for one Shaktiman load, Rs 5000 for Tata truck (TC) and Rs 300 to Wireless to let the vehicles pass through as false and baseless. Lupajao contended that in accordance with the instruction of the Government to check fertilizer smuggling to Myanmar through Moreh, Pallel Police make intensive search of all vehicles.

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The four UG cadres along with their arms and at the backdrop the trucks carrying Urea which were seized by the Assam Rifles

Tribal students begin to leave MU
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 7: In a significant development after the 36 hours general strike called by ATSUM and MUTSU pressing for their demand to increase seat reservation for tribals in Manipur University, around 100 tribal students left the MU campus today and have put up at the Tribal Research Institute located inside DM College campus.
The tribal students left MU campus as they allegedly felt insecure there. The students shifting to DM College campus were not related with the current agitation, clarified ATSUM spokesperson Joseph R Hmar.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Joseph demanded that the 10 student activists arrested in connection with yesterday’s incident should be released without any condition and that the Government should give an assurance to fulfil their demand about reservation in MU by 6 pm today.
Otherwise, more intense movements will be launched, he added. The ATSUM spokesperson further demanded that the interview for recruitment of guest lecturers in Manipur University held on October 6 and 7 should be declared null and void.
As the tribal students’ agitation turned violent which resulted in vandalising MU structures and vehicles, 10 student activists were pulled up by police.
The arrested students include eight functionaries of MUTSU and two of ATSUM. It is reported that Court has permitted the arrested students to be freed on bail.
Meanwhile the Zeliang-rong Union (AMN) has decried the ugly skirmishes between MUTSU agitators and the local people that took place in the vicinity of Manipur University, Canchipur yesterday.
Maintaining that ATSUM and MUTSU called the general strike demanding reservation of seats for tribals in both teaching and non-teaching staff, the ZU (AMN) condemned the alleged act of local people resorting to confrontation with the peaceful agitators.
A press release by ZU (AMN) further appealed to the authority concerned to redress the grievances of the tribal students at the earliest so as to maintain peaceful co-existence among different communities.
The Siamsinpawlpi (Paite Students’ Organisation) has also strongly condemned the arrest and detention of MUTSU leaders who are demanding their rights and demanded their immediate release without any conditions.
In a statement, the student body also condemned the attack on the students by some people at the gate of MU and demanded that they be arrested and punished according to law.
Backing the stand of MUTSU and ATSUM, the student body said that it will give full support to the proposed National Highway blockade for the cause of tribal students unity and for the implementation of the demands raised by MUTSU and ATSUM.

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Representatives of NESO’s constituent units and sports personalities at a sit-in-protest staged against L Monika Devi’s exclusion

Probe to verify students’ figure
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 4: Owing to apprehension over the possibility of fudging the actual figure of the students in the age group of 6 to 14 enrolled in different educational institutions under the Edu- cation Department of the State with an eye on siphoning off extended benefits, the State Government has decided to conduct an extensive household survey to detect ambiguity on the stated figure.
Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source said the Government has been suffering loss financially in the implementation of welfare schemes for the students as the actual number of students in the age group of 6 to 14 and studying in the schools has not been quoted in the right perspective.
According to the reports submitted to the Department by the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), the number of students in the age group of 6 to 14 enrolled in different schools is around 60,000 with the number of school dropouts hovering in the range of 58,000.
As there is strong apprehension over the possibility of fudging the actual figure in the reports submitted by the respective ZEOs, the Government would rope in the service of an NGO to conduct a household survey for verification and authenticating the actual number of students enrolled in these schools. Along with that steps would also be taken up for proper mapping of the actual locations of the schools, the source disclosed.
There is various pitfalls in taking up developmental and other welfare programmes based on inadequate or over-inflated datas, the source added.
It may be noted here that upto 2005, the total number of schools in the State was 3257. Out of these, 604 were aided schools.
The source further infor-med that in connection with the confusion over the num-ber of students in the said age group, a joint meeting of the Education Commissio-ner and Deputy Commis- sioners to be chaired by the Chief Secretary would be held on October 10 to discuss the matter.
It is said that the Centre has stopped releasing fund for implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the State for the current year as the ZEOs concerned have not submitted the utilisation certificates of the fund used earlier. But the implementation of the scheme is still being carried out with expenses from State share and some remaining fund of the scheme.
According to another source, introduction of e-education of the NEC would be started in 20 selected schools under the Education Department very soon. Under this system of education, students would be im- parted with practical knowledge of science subjects and internet facilities would be provided to these educational institutions.

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The slush and mud that pass off as the road connecting Tamei and Kuilong making it a hazardous route for the villagers

A

ttack at MLA’s house
CM to crack SoO whip
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 1: Informing that the Government has been investigating to establish the identity of the UG group/s involved in the bomb attack at the residence of MLA T Hangkhanpao, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is also in charge of the Home portfolio, today assured the Assembly that appropriate action would be taken up if any of the UG groups which have signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) were behind the attack.
Replying to a question raised by MLA RK Anand during the question and answer hour session of the Assembly today, the Chief Minister explained that SoO with two apex bodies of the Kuki UG groups namely Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) have been signed under a well-defined set of ground rules which cannot not be violated.
Demanding to know the objective behind signing of the agreement with KNO and UPF separately, RK Anand, while maintaining such measures may be counter productive, observed that the bomb attack at the residence of MLA T Hangkhanpao, which occurred after signing of the agreement, may be due to difference of ideologies between the two groups.
In his response, the Chief Minister said that along with signing agreement with the two groups, SoO has been effected from August 22 for a period of one year.
Some of the main points laid down in the ground rules include non-violation of the ground rules by any of the constituent units of the two groups and to cease operation against the two groups by the State police and other security forces, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister went on to say that to monitor the operation of SoO, a Joint Monitoring Group has been set up. It would ensure that the ground rules are not violated, that the designated camps of the underground organisations are set up close to the State force or other security forces, identity cards are issued to all the cadres of the two UG groups, pay a reasonable amount towards maintenance of the cadres staying in the designated camps from the side of the Government, to keep the arms and ammunition after being double locked in the respective designated camps and imparting vocational training to the cadres.
He further infomed that the House that political dialogue between the Committee headed by Principal Secretary (Home) as chairman and the leaders of the two groups are already underway. Although the UGs may be having some of their own aspirations and ideologies in the ongoing peace talks, no attention has been given in this direction. Nonetheless, efforts are being made to see whether the National or the State interest is being affected or is there any possibility of causing inconveniences to other communities as a result of the ongoing peace talks, the Chief Minister said. Noting that problems are being faced due to existence of a large number of unlawful organisations in the State, the Chief Minister observed that peace talks has been initiated as these problems could not be solved without making a beginning. Informing the House that some of the valley based underground organisations have also shown keen interest to enter peace talks with the Government, the Chief Minister asserted that solution could be brought about only through political dialogue.

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Girls taking part in the march past to mark the 112th birth anniversary of Jananeta Irabot

197 dead in temple stampede in Jodhpur
JODHPUR, Sep 30
In one of worst tragedies of its kind in India, 197 people are dead, mostly men, and several injured in a stampede that took place when thousands of devotees gathered at a 15th century temple in Jodhpur on the occasion of Navaratri festival on Tuesday.
It is feared that the toll may cross 200.
The worshippers had gathered at the Chamunda Devi Temple situated on a hill top in the precincts of Mehrangarh Fort when the tragedy struck at around 5.30 am after some devotees slipped on a slope causing the stampede.
The injured are being treated in various hospitals, Rajasthan’s Principal Secretary (Home) SN Thanvi said. “As some devotees slipped on the slope on the temple path, others gathered there started falling on each other causing the stampede. A majority of those killed died due to suffocation as a result of the stampede,” he said in Jaipur.
According to reports, there is shortage of oxygen in hospitals.
Director General of Police (DGP), Rajasthan, KS Bains, however, said that nearly 100 people were injured in the incident.
Officials said most of the dead were men as the stampede took place in the separate queue for males for going to the temple.
About 15 to 20 people were killed at the spot and the others succumbed to their injuries in Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Mathura Das Hospital and Sun City Hospital, among others, in Jodhpur.
The dead include a large number of young people, they said.
The devotees in large numbers, including women, had gathered at the temple from early this morning on the occasion of Navaratri festival.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said sufficient police deployment had been ensured and there were separate queues for men and women.
But there was a huge rush in the queue for men and some people slipped on a slope which led to the stampede, Kataria said.
The civil authorities have sought the help of the Army to deal with the situation, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Kanhaiya Lal said.
Officials said that the stampede occurred as the devotees along the 2-km-long route to the temple tried to rush towards its door as soon as it opened.
The situation went out of control as devotees, carrying offerings, jostled with each other and tried to rush towards the temple door breaking the barricades, they said.
Inspector General of Police, Jodhpur, Rajiv Dasod said some of the devotees slipped on the 75-metre-long slope on the temple path causing the stampede in the 100-metre zone around it.
“There has been no casualty in the queue for women in which a large number of children were also present,” he added.
In Jaipur, Chief Secretary DC Samant called a high-level meeting to discuss the relief and rescue measures, official sources said.
Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is holding Navratri prayers at Tripura Sundari in Banswara district, will visit Jodhpur, the sources said.
A few eyewitness to the incident told police that a side wall of the temple had also collapsed due to pressure from the large number of devotees.
Chamunda Devi Temple is the “Kul Devi” of the former Maharajah of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh, and is run by a private trust.
Agencies

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