Demand for change of CM not acceptable: Manipur minister
Imphal (PTI): Manipur Consumer Affairs Minister Leishangthem Sushindro has rejected the demand of a group of youngsters from the state to replace Chief Minister N Biren Singh and form a new regional party to work in the interest of the state.
The group of youngsters under the banner of Youths of Manipur (YOM) held a meeting with 23 ruling-party MLAs and ministers and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh in New Delhi's Manipur Bhavan on Saturday.
Leishangthem, upon his arrival here from Delhi on Sunday, told reporters, "The demand for change of CM is tantamount to inviting President's Rule in the state. The CM is chosen by the elected representatives. Just because they have demanded to replace the CM doesn't mean it has to be done."
He said, "An MLA is elected by people. I will not hold any talks with the youths if their demand is replacement of the CM.
On Saturday, the YoM took to social media and used "unparliamentary remarks" to abuse the ruling MLAs and alleged them of turning their heads away from the present crisis besides asking them to resign.
Meanwhile, an official source close to a minister told PTI, "The Centre and the state are working day and night to restore normalcy in the state. They are working tirelessly to ensure supplies reach Imphal valley despite blockades on the highways. Pre-fabricated houses have been built on war-footing to house the affected people. Even CBI was promptly sent to the state to investigate the killing of the two Manipuri students."
In a statement on Saturday, the DIPR informed that the Delhi meeting addressed the "pressing concerns and finding constructive solutions to the ongoing situation" and the legislators reiterated their "commitment to no separate administration, ensuring security arrangements to prevent firing and seeking audience with the prime minister."
The legislators termed the attempt to attack Sushindro during the meeting by some members of the youths as "highly condemnable" saying it was "uncalled for and would invite legal action."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
