Relooking the overlooked plights of children in Ukhrul

Imphal Free
By Keisam Pradipkumar
Being dismayed by the acute shortage of institutional services and medical treatment facilities, Children Living with HIV/AIDS, rape victims, orphans, children of broken family and psychologically traumatized children in Ukhrul district are still living in a pitiable condition, despite the state has launched the mega child welfare scheme such as “Integrated Child Protection Scheme” (ICPS), subsequent upon the enactment of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)2000 Act amended in 2006. Besides, children in this district still pay fees for sports meet, while parents bear honorarium for privately engaged teachers by sacrificing their wages of MGNREGA. Adding to the large scale subletting of government/ ADC appointed teachers, the issue of MGNREA supported teachers in hill districts has become another sarcastic paradigm to the much talked about “ The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” in Manipur. The question is where has the state government utilized those numerous teachers recently appointed under SSA and RAMSA projects?

In recent times, a minor girl from Ukhrul was raped on 24th June, while another girl was murdered after having rape on 10th September respectively this year. Since there was no shelter home in Ukhrul, the rape victim of 24th June incident, baby Angamla (name changed) 11 years old, belonging to an abject poverty stricken family, is presently taking shelter in one of her relatives place. She was first kept in a girls’ shelter home in Imphal. Her case was taken up by Manipur State Commission for Women, though the poor victim hasn’t got any compensation till date. The girl deserves institutional care considering her mental status and deprived socio-economic.

Such victim like baby Angamla from Ukhrul, are usually referred to a girls shelter home in Imphal by the Child Welfare Committee, Ukhrul. Minor girls from Tangkhul community felt quite unsuitable in Imphal as they were yet to conversant with Manipuri language. The diverse social and cultural background posed as the huge barriers making interpersonal counseling and formal education to the victim children a hard hitting job to the service providers.

Another, Tangkhul girl baby Khangamla 13 years from Ukhrul, ran two times from an Imphal based girls shelter home “ Punya Nawa Yaiphakol”. For the last 3 years , she ran away more than 5 times from different places. Her drunkard father and poor mother failed to look after her, and even they are reluctant to take her back. The disobliging ambiance in her family became rather detrimental to her psychological well being, which made her now virtually a psychologically distressed child needing immediate medical treatment and institutional care.

It is worth to mention that, dubious human trafficking net in India is targeting the north east women for sex trade, spa massage service and of late for forced marriage as common wife. Ukhrul, having the highest rate of migration of young girls to other states in search of lucrative jobs, there are several trafficked survivors in the district. However, restoration and rehabilitative process for the trafficked survivors is almost nil. The district does not have either a women shelter home or girls children home, whereas ever getting bigger number of victims are intolerantly searching the compassionate helping hand of such temporary institutional care from pillar to post.

Child Welfare Committee, Ukhrul’s Chairperson Gajendra Prasad Mohanty said, “We are totally helpless here, as such facilities are not in Ukhrul at all, many children, such as baby Khangamla remained untreated. Opening of girls shelter home, providing counseling and rehabilitative support for such marginalized girls and children are the desperate needs of Ukhrul district ”.

The status of the Juveniles in conflict with law (JCL) is quite disheartening , as such children who are allegedly committed offences, are not getting appropriate treatment supposed to be given under the vindicated juvenile criminal justice system.

People hardly know who are the appointed social worker members and Principal Magistrate of the board and where is its office, though the concerned department has already set up the statutory body years back. As a result, many delinquent children’s cases ended up only in the hands of un child-friendly police and mob trials, before reaching to the juvenile justice procedures. The dignified role of Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) is yet to be seen. Overriding the legal procedures, recently a rape victim child from Ukhrul was kept in a private hotel in Imphal by Ukhrul police in lieu of admitting her to the hospital, thereby delaying the medical treatment and foreignsic test process.

The plight of Children Living with HIV/AIDS in the district is really pathetic, when it came to learn that they are taking unmeasured random ART doses, since the CD4 machine in Ukhrul remained non-operational since January this year, even though the district is one of the highest HIV prevalent districts in Manipur ranking at “A” category. There are around 85 boys 94 girls ( Pre ART) while 32 girls and 32 boys are On ART, out of cumulative Pre ART 1099 and On ART 682 of the district. The Ukhrul town is having around 20,000 children population out of 50,000 total population.

Mr. C. Leisan, member, Ukhrul District NGO Alliance for Health (UTNAH) said “Most regrettably Ukhrul district hasn’t got its own Community Care Centre till now, though NACO had reportedly sanctioned it in 2007 ”. He said “ No program from Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS is ever held in Ukhrul. There is no blood bank, though in 2000 MACS reported that it was already sanctioned. Since CD4 machine lying defunct lots of people are referred either to RIMS or JNIMS expending lot of money and resources”.

Mrs Chonjon and Mamlaphi (name changed) both PLHAs shared that stigma and discrimination is still highly persistent in the community. PLHA widows remained almost aloof and could not even form SHGs. They were yearning for certain economic support to feed their ailing children and themselves.

The recent public hearing of NCPCR held at Kangla, Imphal in August, 2011, loudly exposed the proxy teacher or sub letting of teachers in hill districts of Manipur with special reference to Chandel and Ukhrul. More cases of proxy teachers are found in ADC run schools. Lacking of Hindi, Manipuri, Math, Science teachers and poor infrastructures including absence of separate toilets for girls being the common scenario visible at all the schools in hill districts. Till now, many AIDS inflicted orphans are not getting free education under RTE in recognized private schools.

Head master of Shirui Jr High School admitted that Glory day’s expenses is being born by students reading in elementary classes. A student has to contribute Rs.150 every year for such observation comprising of sports and cultural events. School authority, meticulously did not issue receipts for such money paid by the students. They termed it as “ contribution” not “fee”, thereby trying to run off from the purview of RTE strictures. According to the RTE Act free education means no financial constraints can “prevent” a child from enrolling, attending and completing elementary education. Hence, if glory day is a part of extra curricular activities it should be organized with state’s expenses, and students and their parents must not be liable to pay for it.

The ZEO, Ukhrul Mr Adverest Luikham, who is looking after 137 schools in the district said “All the fees charged have been refunded as per NCPCR directive, and Glory day is like a community supported event which we cannot stop. Since there is no provision to bear the expense we are helpless but organizing it with contributions of the parents”.

Contrary to RTE’s high sounding provisions, Ms Shila J Konghay, president Tangkhul Shanaolong a popular civil body said “Recently I visited certain villages such as Chalong Chingthak, Chalong Phalang of Kamjong sub-division, some 90 Km away from Ukhrul town, where not a single school has been established till today. You could find neither children nor school in these villages, as all the children left their native villages either for Ukhrul town or Imphal for study”.

I am still pondering, how long the true accessibility to RTE Act and welfare schemes for children will remain as a far cry from the towering blue hills of Ukhrul.

Children Living With HIV/AIDS Most Affected By Conflict In Manipur

Source-Sangai Express
Frequent blockades and violence often grind the State to halt, leaving children and families living with HIV and AIDS with little access to vital healthcare, nutrition and Anti Retroviral Therapy.

Growing up in a conflict zone, children in the north-eastern State of Manipur are often deprived of their childhood; yet it is the children living with HIV who face the toughest struggles. In addition to coping with a life-threatening disease and the social stigmas attached to it, many children are deprived of the life-saving Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) due to curfews imposed, and the sporadic supply of medication to the hospitals and healthcare centres during conflicts.

Atindranath Das, Regional Director, CRY says, “The situation of children living with HIV is particularly disconcerting, since they are infected, and affected by circumstances and actions beyond their own doing. They are, in every sense, innocent victims of the epidemic.”

30th November, 2011: 13-year old Devender Singh lives with his 60-year-old grandmother, Mahima Devi, in Imphal West Devender lost his parents to AIDS many years ago, and has been cared for by his grandmother ever since. Mahima has managed to eke out a living for them by selling vegetables in the market, but the recent economic blockade in the State has made survival almost impossible. As prices of petrol skyrocketed and mobility was restricted, Mahima had no customers to buy her wares. The soaring prices of food meant that she could not afford to buy nutritious food like bananas and eggs which are so crucial for Devender, who is frequently ill and currently on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

The absence of a social security system from both, the community and the state force many children living in families affected by HIV/AIDS to be caregiver and engage in economic activity to run the household. Janardhan studies in the 7th standard and lives with his mother Ritika, who is HIV positive and currently on ART. A single mother, Ritika is often ill and weak, unable to carry out farming chores on a small piece of land which is the only source of income for the family. As a result, Janardhan frequently misses school to help out his mother by working on the farm and doing the household chores.

The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) in its Strategy and Implementation Plan 2006 states that the present responses on care given to children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS provide mere short-term benefits and do not cater to their best interests in terms of their right to health, protection, education and nutrition.

In order to effectively address the needs of children, both, infected and affected by HIV, CRY recommends three basic actions:

· Since ART is proven to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of the HIV disease, the government should make ART freely available and accessible, specially in paediatric doses, preferably at the community level through functioning Primary Healthcare Centres.

· Create and enable special corridors for supply of life-saving drugs including ART so that frequent blockades do not take a toll on children living with HIV.

· To combat and end the life-threatening degree of stigmatization of HIV affected children, widespread community awareness programmes are needed, as well as peer-to-peer education, support groups and facilitated workshops.

· CRY calls for the National bodies such as the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the respective Ministries to step in, to resolve the situation while keeping children’s needs at the top.

· The long-term conflict has resulted in unprecedented denial of the rights to health, survival and development for all children in Manipur, including the HIV positive children. The government should push for a permanent end to armed conflict that is one of the significant reasons behind poor access to healthcare. The extra judicial powers vested with the army needs to be thoroughly re-examined to ensure that children do not suffer from violence and trauma.

“Any HIV-specific programme must acknowledge and work with the extreme stressors that are a daily reality for children infected and affected with HIV/AIDS,” says Atindranath Das. “State authorities must invest in public facilities, infrastructure and rights-related services such as primary healthcare, provision of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) for children and schooling. This approach needs to be prioritised above all other approaches to problem-solving in Manipur,” he adds.

* Names of children and their families changed to protect identities.

CRY - Child Rights and You (formerly known as Child Relief and You) is an Indian NGO that believes in every child’s right to a childhood - to live, learn, grow and play. For over 30 years, CRY and its partners have worked with parents and communities to ensure Lasting Change in the lives of more than 20 Lakh underprivileged children. For more information please visit us at www.cry.org

For further information, please contact: Child Rights and You (CRY) abhik.bhattacharya@crymail.org

Stigma and discrimination still continue to loom large upon PLHA

Source- Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, December 1: Stigma and discrimination towards HIV/AIDS affected persons still continue. Even at the outset of the observation of the World Aids Day held at 1stBattalion Manipur Rifles Ground under the theme “Zero discrimination, Zero infection and Zero AIDS related deaths”, a widow living with HIV/AIDS was mocked at by a personnel of the Manipur Rifles at the said venue.

Kongbrailatpam ongbi Prameshwori Devi, an outreach worker told IFP that she came with handloom items for display and sales at the “Lingjel Nupi Lup” stall with some of her co-workers today morning. She entered from the western main entrance of the 1stMR and as she neared the chouka (Kitchen), some sepoys were standing there. As she passed by, one among the MR personnel called out and asked her to stop, she was approached by the MR personnel and had jeeringly exclaimed, “AIDS pakpa mayamda yen doira nakhoina ngashi pusillakeiba potsingsae” in a derogatory tone. Prameshwori put down the items she brought to the ground and told the personnel “Ngashi asuk fajakhraba numiitsida, nakhoina aduk chaoukhattaba wahei sijinnarishi karigino” with tears flowing down her cheeks. Herself, living with HIV for the last decade, she could no longer take the insults and slapped the personnel at the spot.

Outraged, she came to the stall and told her co-workers about the episode. Her friends had also talked to some concerned authorities about the incident. Later, she was approached at the stall by the same personnel along with some senior officers. The said personnel tendered an apology which she declined.

She told IFP, “Today, the episode may be over, but such persons particularly those assigned to protect and serve the public harasses us. They perceive widows like us in the wrong light and pass derogatory remarks. They are the ones who need to be sensitized about HIV/AIDS at the foremost”, she said.

Ironically, the Chief Minister in his presidential speech at the observance function had also emphasized on the need for effective HIV/AIDS awareness among the public.

Prameshwori is a resident of Heirok and had an arranged marriage to K Brajamani of Tera on February 1991. Her husband was also a rifleman of the 1st Manipur Rifles. According to her testimony, after the birth of her second daughter, her husband’s attitude began to change and she suspected drugs as the cause. She was also informed by a friend that her husband was involved in an extra marital affair. She contracted a sexually transmitted infection from her husband and both of them fell seriously ill. They went to Downtown Hospital in Assam and were recommended by the physician to test for HIV. Unfortunately, both of them tested positive. Prameshwori was shocked when she came to know her status but consoled herself to her fate.

As time passed, her husband wanted a son and without having any idea about PPTCT (Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission) gave birth to their third daughter. They had thought of testing the child after birth. On the other hand, Prameshwori’s husband was suffering from TB seriously, even in spite of taking DOT (Directly Observed Therapy), his condition became critical. At RIMS, he did the CD4 test and his immune system was found to be a low 7. The doctor recommended ART (Anti Retro-Viral Treatment) tablets which was unavailable freely then. Before the announcement of the news that ART would be available freely, her husband had passed away.

Widowed at an early age with three daughters, Prameshwori mortgaged her husband’s pension book for money to buy food and medicine. Till date, she has not been able to get back the pension book due to the huge interest amount charged by the loaner.

One of the most tragic moments of her life was when her second daughter Nandini (name changed) who was mentally retarded became sick. On testing her daughter at RIMS, it was painfully found out that she was also affected by HIV. She recounted that she had suffered an injury in her chest and at the same time her daughter also had an accident and smashed her lips on an iron bucket. As her daughter was breast feeding at the time, she presumed that it must have been due to blood to blood contact.

But braving all odds with her vocational skills, she has been providing for her three daughters and later formed a MSG (Mutual Support Groups) with other affected widows and organized monthly meetings till date. Recently, she also gave her testimonial at the Public Hearing conducted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights highlighting that PLHA (People Living with HIV/AIDS) should be given free ALT and Hb percentage test. She also performed at the Expo Mela Solo Dance Performance held at New Delhi. She presently works as an outreach worker in an NGO.

World AIDS Day widely observed in state

source- Imphal free Press
IMPHAL, December 1: The World AIDS Day, 2011 was observed today under the theme “Universal Access and Human Rights” at various parts of the state.

The state level observation was held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Ground with Governor Gurbachan Jagat as the chief guest and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi as the president.

Health and Family Welfare minister L Jayentakumar and education minister DD Thaisii attended as the guests of honour.

Addressing the gathering at the observation function, Governor Gurbachan Jagat stated that the World AIDS Day is a very important event across the world, particularly in the state of Manipur where the people have experienced the impact of the HIV epidemic for the last more than 20 years. Many young people have died due to AIDS related cases/diseases. A number of children have been made orphans and many young women widows due to this epidemic.

Starting from 1988, 1st December is observed as World AIDS Day. The slogan for this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights" on the theme "Getting to Zero". The theme signifies zero new HIV infection, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related death. Zero new infections, zero discrimination are equally important and likely to spark high impact events from small scale community vigils to nation-wide events using the universally recognized shape of zeros and the power of light to get the attention they deserve. Zero AIDS death signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now, he asserted.

Governor further maintained that Manipur is identified as one of the six high HIV prevalence states in India, identified by the National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Statistics reveals that the magnitude of the problem here is very alarming in the sense that innocent pregnant housewives have been infected by HIV. It is learnt that 0.5 per cent of them are estimated to be living with HIV. Infection among mothers indicates possible infection among the new born children and also among the husbands. If new born children are infected, the future of Manipur will not be bright.

He suggested that small children should get utmost care and protection in this regard. It is the responsibility of the society at large, particularly women, to have a greater involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS to safeguard the future of Manipur.

Governor further announced the official launching of Early Infant Diagnosis Programme in Manipur He stated that the programme will help in reducing 76 percent morbidity among infants on early ante-retro viral treatment and 75 percent reduction in the infant mortality on early ART. Earlier, an infant born to a HIV infected mother had to wait to attain 18 months for accurate diagnosis. Now with the availability of EID programme in Manipur, a baby who is born to a HIV infected mother can undergo HIV testing from six months onwards till 18 months of age, free of cost at selected Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres opened at RIMS, JNIMS, District Hospitals and Community Health Centres.

Gurbachan also maintained that two ART Centres will be opened at Senapati and Bishnupur and two link ART centres at Kumbi and Sagolmang. This will greatly help in reducing the distance travelled by people living with HIV/AIDS for availing Anti-retroviral drugs from nearest ART and LAC centres. Oral Substitution Therapy programme being launched today at Senapati under the Government Health Set-up involves substitution of the drug user's primary drug use with a medically safer drug use and the primary route of injecting drug use with non-injecting route. This programme will be a window of opportunity for our youths to come out from their drug habits and lead a healthy and productive life.

The HIV and AIDS issue which is no longer a mere health issue has covered all aspects of life, social, economic, legal, human rights and even political. The sincere efforts of the officials and concerned activists of the State will not be sufficient in tackling this issue. The civil society has to be actively involved, he noted.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat further appealed to all to play proactive roles in countering the menace of HIV/AIDS in the state.

Emphasizing on the need to take up effective measures on the border areas, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi stated that necessary steps will be taken up at Moreh town to check and prevent HIV/AIDS transmission.

He stated that the people should be precautious while dealing with such issues as the state lies at the international border area.

Chief Minister further appealed to the people to render utmost help and cooperation to the government as well as NGOs to deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS in the state.

HIV positive children are devoid of assistances, CRY calls for support

http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=3231&catid=1
IMPHAL, Nov 30: 13-year old Devender Singh lives with his 60-year-old grandmother, Mahima Devi, in Imphal West. Devender lost his parents to AIDS many years ago, and has been cared for by his grandmother ever since. Mahima has managed to eke out a living for them by selling vegetables in the market, but the recent economic blockade in the State has made survival almost impossible. As prices of petrol skyrocketed and mobility was restricted, Mahima had no customers to buy her wares. The soaring prices of food meant that she could not afford to buy nutritious food like bananas and eggs which are so crucial for Devender, who is frequently ill and currently on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).
Growing up in a conflict zone, children in the north-eastern state of Manipur are often deprived of their childhood; yet it is the children living with HIV who face the toughest struggles. In addition to coping with a life-threatening disease and the social stigmas attached to it, many children are deprived of the life-saving Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) due to curfews imposed, and the sporadic supply of medication to the hospitals and healthcare centres during conflicts.
Atindranath Das, Regional Director, CRY says, “The situation of children living with HIV is particularly disconcerting, since they are infected, and affected by circumstances and actions beyond their own doing. They are, in every sense, innocent victims of the epidemic.”
The absence of a social security system from both, the community and the state force many children living in families affected by HIV/AIDS to be caregiver and engage in economic activity to run the household. Janardhan studies in the 7th standard and lives with his mother Ritika, who is HIV positive and currently on ART. A single mother, Ritika is often ill and weak, unable to carry out farming chores on a small piece of land which is the only source of income for the family. As a result, Janardhan frequently misses school to help out his mother by working on the farm and doing the household chores.
The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) in its Strategy and Implementation Plan 2006 states that the present responses on care given to children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS provide mere short-term benefits and do not cater to their best interests in terms of their right to health, protection, education and nutrition.
In order to effectively address the needs of children, both, infected and affected by HIV, CRY recommends three basic actions:
(i) Since ART is proven to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of the HIV disease, the government should make ART freely available and accessible, specially in paediatric doses, preferably at the community level through functioning Primary Healthcare Centres.
(ii Create and enable special corridors for supply of life-saving drugs including ART so that frequent blockades do not take a toll on children living with HIV.
(iii) To combat and end the life-threatening degree of stigmatization of HIV affected children, widespread community awareness programmes are needed, as well as peer-to-peer education, support groups and facilitated workshops.
(iv) CRY calls for the National bodies such as the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the respective Ministries to step in, to resolve the situation while keeping children’s needs at the top.
(v) The long-term conflict has resulted in unprecedented denial of the rights to health, survival and development for all children in Manipur, including the HIV positive children. The government should push for a permanent end to armed conflict that is one of the significant reasons behind poor access to healthcare. The extra judicial powers vested with the army needs to be thoroughly re-examined to ensure that children do not suffer from violence and trauma.
“Any HIV-specific programme must acknowledge and work with the extreme stressors that are a daily reality for children infected and affected with HIV/AIDS,” says Atindranath Das. “State authorities must invest in public facilities, infrastructure and rights-related services such as primary healthcare, provision of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) for children and schooling. This approach needs to be prioritised above all other approaches to problem-solving in Manipur,” he adds.

Children with HIV/ AIDS most affected by Manipur conflict: CRY

http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/hueiyen-lanpao-news-paper.php?newsid=10092
Imphal, Nov 30 : Frequent blockades and violence often grind the State to halt, leaving children and families living with HIV and AIDS with little access to vital healthcare, nutrition and Anti Retroviral Therapy. Children living with HIV/ AIDS are most affected by conflict in Manipur, said Child Rights and You (CRY).

13-year old Devender Singh lives with his 60-year-old grandmother, Mahima Devi, in Imphal West. Devender lost his parents to AIDS many years ago, and has been cared for by his grandmother ever since.

Mahima has managed to eke out a living for them by selling vegetables in the market, but the recent economic blockade in the State has made survival almost impossible. As prices of petrol skyrocketed and mobility was restricted, Mahima had no customers to buy her wares.
The soaring prices of food meant that she could not afford to buy nutritious food like bananas and eggs which are so crucial for Devender, who is frequently ill and currently on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

Growing up in a conflict zone, children in the north-eastern state of Manipur are often deprived of their childhood; yet it is the children living with HIV who face the toughest struggles.

In addition to coping with a life-threatening disease and the social stigmas attached to it, many children are deprived of the life-saving Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) due to curfews imposed, and the sporadic supply of medication to the hospitals and healthcare centres during conflicts.
Atindranath Das, Regional Director, CRY said, "The situation of children living with HIV is particularly disconcerting, since they are infected, and affected by circumstances and actions beyond their own doing. They are, in every sense, innocent victims of the epidemic."

The absence of a social security system from both, the community and the state force many children living in families affected by HIV/AIDS to be caregiver and engage in economic activity to run the household.

Janardhan studies in the 7th standard and lives with his mother Ritika, who is HIV positive and currently on ART. A single mother, Ritika is often ill and weak, unable to carry out farming chores on a small piece of land which is the only source of income for the family. As a result, Janardhan frequently misses school to help out his mother by working on the farm and doing the household chores.

The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) in its Strategy and Implementation Plan 2006 states that the present responses on care given to children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS provide mere short-term benefits and do not cater to their best interests in terms of their right to health, protection, education and nutrition.

In order to effectively address the needs of children, both, infected and affected by HIV, CRY recommends three basic actions: Since ART is proven to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of the HIV disease, the government should make ART freely available and accessible, specially in paediatric doses, preferably at the community level through functioning Primary Healthcare Centres.

Create and enable special corridors for supply of life-saving drugs including ART so that frequent blockades do not take a toll on children living with HIV.

To combat and end the life-threatening degree of stigmatization of HIV affected children, widespread community awareness programmes are needed, as well as peer-to-peer education, support groups and facilitated workshops.

CRY said it calls for the National bodies such as the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the respective Ministries to step in, to resolve the situation while keeping children's needs at the top.

The long-term conflict has resulted in unprecedented denial of the rights to health, survival and development for all children in Manipur, including the HIV positive children.

The government should push for a permanent end to armed conflict that is one of the significant reasons behind poor access to healthcare. The extra judicial powers vested with the army needs to be thoroughly re-examined to ensure that children do not suffer from violence and trauma.
"Any HIV-specific programme must acknowledge and work with the extreme stressors that are a daily reality for children infected and affected with HIV/AIDS," said Atindranath Das.

"State authorities must invest in public facilities, infrastructure and rights-related services such as primary healthcare, provision of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) for children and schooling. This approach needs to be prioritised above all other approaches to problem-solving in Manipur," he added.

CRY - Child Rights and You (formerly known as Child Relief and You) is an Indian NGO that believes in every child's right to a childhood - to live, learn, grow and play.

A Free Zone for Education – An Imperative for Right to Education in the Hill Areas, Manipur

By: Alex Akhup

Ms. Kimnei Salviana Leivon, Research Scholar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai 400088. Currently engaged in northeast studies, education, governance and tribes.

Reading through the “Human Development Report 2011; Towards Social Inclusion”, I was drawn upon my recent experience of the reality of village people in the state during my fieldwork engagement trip. What came uppermost in the mind as a researcher and a fellow villager during my fieldwork and holiday is the persisting reality of poverty as lived by people in the villages especially in the hill districts of the state. The common phrase ‘awabada awaba piju, nongaibada nungaiba piju’ (translate as ‘rich will grow richer and the poor will grow poorer’) is still sung loud and clear among the villages. It is evident that such areas are still far away from the reach of the state devepment processes. As for instance, the focus of the government in the 11th five year plan was inclusive growth and development. In fact, the human development report 2011 has rightly indicated improvement along such a planned development objectives. As for instance, it is reported that there is convergence of literacy rate across the ST, SC, Minorites and the national literacy rate. In fact most of the states in the northeast region show literacy rate above the national average and much higher when compared to other tribal areas in the region. This statistical status is also vividly endorsed by the latest “Economic Survey of Manipur” (2009-10). However, on a deeper analysis, it is noted that there is a critical data which reveals the persisting problem of poverty among STs, SCs and minorities confronting inclusive planned development process in the country. As seen in the report, malnutrition is still a matter of grave concern for the country when it comes to the context of poor people; SCs, STs and even minority. This situation is further endorsed in the data on infant mortality rate, low body mass (BMI less than 18.5), total fertility rate and unemployment (p. 6-15). It is a serious development and governance issue still persisting even after six decades of planned development activities in the country. Such a state of condition directly affects the most vulnerable and important sections of soceity; children and mothers among across SCs and STs. The data also directly highlights the outcome of the national schemes such as Integrated Child and Development (ICDS) and midday meal which are supposedly launched to support health and education for children and women (mothers).

Setting my foot upon the village habitations of the hill areas, I encountered a total absence of the planned development system; or rather a prominent presence of a non-state system of power and corruption. The people are held hostaged to such system and poverty is thus an inherent outcome, and it would only widen year by year. I was inclined to asked whether the emerging leaders both state and non-state really understand priorities of development. However, it seems everything in the region goes in the name of politics; nation-state, nationalism and ethnonationalism. They provide a theoretical explanation for the situation together with a strategy for a solution. In fact the state leaders boldly declare that ethnicity is a hindrance to development while taking advantage of such situation for party and individual power and prestige. It is observed that the situation has gone to such a level that today civility and citizenship are not known to the people. The rich, powerful and dominant have taken over state system. In fact, it seems that no state activity takes place without the CDOs (Manipur state commandos). Besides, there are numerous non-state organizations/individuals who claimed to be civil societies or national workers in perfect union with the system of rich and dominant. Such a system survives on the development funds for the people. It is a commonly known fact among people that ‘government contract work’ (mainly for the insfrastructure development including schemes for school buildings) is the main source of income for the non-state systems and individuals. This system is the emerging overarching state structure that define people and development. In short, local system is at the mercy of the larger system indicating a total absence of state system, democracy and governance. Thus inclusive growth and development as professed in the planned economy of the country suffers from lack of governance system in such a context. In a sense, welfare state system is absent in lived experience of the villagers that I visited in the hill districts. Such a situation confronts the theory that hill districts have tribal councils and village authorities as strong local bodies that would bring in good governance in the hill areas. In fact the Hill districts councils have just dawn their mantle upon the hill region since 2010; a system revived after a gap of twenty years and more but still very much conditioned by the larger structures above.



The absence of democracy and governance sytem in the state is expressed in persisting poverty, illiteracy, illhealth, backwardness rampant in the villages. As a researcher with a grounding on social theory and strategy for empowerment and development for people, the neglected situation of the villages is a matter that has confronted me beyond my understanding. Every year I go home or go for fieldwork, I see the same old huts of the village, thatched roof and mud floor. No electricity, no water, no road connectivity, no school building, no PHCs, the list is endless. Some of the worse situations are expressed in people going to fetch waters to the far away ponds and streams which often gets dried once the moonson rains had made their exit from the land. Road connection is the same as ever. Infact it has become worse as few tarred sprinkled stones have been dropped occassionally in the name of state insfrastructure development especially in the villages within the range of 20-30 kms from the main city. However, such roads in fact have become health hazards of the people due to the huge amount of dust generated along the roads. It is a common sight that people travelling along the roads are covered with dust allover. Health system is still absent and the government schools are still non functioing.



Reaching upon the village premises one comes to observed the golden rice fields in the foothills and also on the slopes of the mountains. These fields constitute the main occupation of the people. If one goes deeper in the processes of the occupation, it is seen that the manner of occupation has changed. Today, there is a trace of technology coming especially in the paddy fields of the plain area. One can observe the Kokoda, tractor and even few tractors with harvesting accessories. Such situation reveals that people with alteast two to four acres of cultivable land are moving towards modern methods of rice cultivation. This has generated fair amount of labour for landless. However, I observed that such emerging changes has become heavy financial burden to the people. In fact for cultivation of one pare (2 and ½ acres), one has to spent approximately about forty to fifty thousand rupees. This would be spent in buying manure and hiring tractor or labour for ploughing and harvesting. This implies that land owners are caught in increasing financial burden which is expressed in the number of children and students dropping from school and colleges. Those who are able to afford had to earn for education from other sources of income. Such earning comes mainly from selling vegetables, fruits and jungle products. Some individuals of the families who are employed are quite comfortable. They are in fact able to the have house amenities such as two wheelers, TVs and even mobile phone (new thing in the village). However, in general, poverty is slowly but firmly taking a grip of the villages.



In all of these, what becomes most worrying is children’s growth and development and education. It is observed that education, primary education (elementary education) is the most important activity of every family, village, state and country. There is a realization that education is the only means to become rich and raise the family income status even among remote villages. But it is observed that in general the primary education system has been the domain of private schools implying financial burden. Such a situation also indicates a faulty strategy of the state plan. In fact, it can be inferred that the minimal focus of the government plan on the primary elementary education especially before the 1990s has deeply affected the mentality of the people. It is observed that today inspite of the new policy focus given on the elementary education since the 2001, common people still don’t have faith on the state system, the government schools. Such condition befits a critical analysis against the present economic survey data (p.157-165). As matter of fact, lately Manipur was conferred “Best Improved State in Governance Among Small States of India” during Chief Minister Conclave held on November 4th in New Delhi, 2011 (http://theshillongtimes.com/2011/11/19development-in-manipur%E2%80%99). This is rightly so as seen in the well established information system of the state particularly managed by the state national information centre. As for instance, the web portals of Rastriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Manipur indicate good governance structure with accountability and transperancy of the implimentation of the schemes.



However, as experienced in the lived reality of villages in the hill areas of the state, one cannot rely everything on the e governance system of the government to a certain level. In reality it is observed that the system of education, as positioned in the Right to Education (RTE) is still vacant indicating that RTE cannot be implimented in the hill areas. Supposedly, Manipur state is one of the states which has taken proactive stance towards RTE and Right to Information (RTI). The SSA data Manipur section indicates that the state has made tremendous improvment on the elementary education front. However, in reality there is an existence of a complex structure and network of the bureaucratic structure, the local powerful chiefs, local leaders, the rich and the under ground organizations. In such a context the recent policy brought in Manipur and the recruitement of the graduate teachers will have little effect. As for instance, the local bodies in article no. 9 of the Right to Education Act (RTE) and the commission for the child right although laid down in the rules to RTE still is not able to function at the local level. When it comes to infrastructure development of schools, School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), a committee of fourteen members, as policy has been formed. However, at the ground reality, SMDC is functioning without a proper system support. What is most worrying to this system is the position of the Chairman and Secretary of the committee in whose names the school bank account is to be opened. In practice, Chairman is in fact the local disbursement officer at the school level. As a rule the school headmistress/headmaster is the chairman. He/she becomes directly accountable to the financial transactions, accountability and transparency under RTI. The secretary is to be appointed by the committee representing the parents. These office positions have come under criticism from the tribal chiefs in many villages as they would like to be a defacto local disbursement officers at the village level. Over and above all these, the chairman and secretary are responsible to the local leaders and the undergrounds who also demand a share of the fund coming for the infrastructure development of village schools. In fact of-the-record, it has been observed that atleast 50% of the fund goes to the bureaucratic offices of the education system, local leaders and underground groups. As observed, in the scheme for one room school building construction under SSA, one headmaster/headmistress of a village returned the money to the ZEO due to the pressure of demand coming from outside orgaizations. Many schools are being constructed with low quality. As such, the school committee especially the chairman and secretary have become victim of the larger system. Suspension of headmaster/headmistress of schools is likely to come if monitoring system comes into practice.



Besides, there is a grave system problem in education at the level of the primary and elementary education system in the hill region. As a policy, elementary education (class I-VIII) is the focus of the state. However, this becomes critical when one is looking at the local bodies for the implimentation of the schemes in the hill districts. As for instance, the district council, now in function has the primary role of primary education in the hill districts. The people usually know it as ‘council schools’. The ZEO in the hill districts looks after the the education system above class five. But in the recent times, a focus has been made on RTE covering elementary education; free and compulsory education between the age of 6-14 (class- 1-VIII). The SSA schemes is basically handled by the ZEO and runs across all villages and schools in the hill region. Therefore, ZEO has become more active in the RTE process in the hill areas covering the council schools. Such an emerging system creates a confrontation of systems within in the hill areas; between council system and the zonal system. The system interface (between state system and local system) has not been spelt out in policy as well as in practice at present.



It has become obvious that if the system of education has to be laid effectively, it is imperative that education has to be declared a ‘free zone’ (free from politics, corruption and financial demands by undergrounds); allow the system to work. Education for children is one of the most fundamental right which the state is still not in a position to give to the children even with the policy laid. This can be inferred from the number of children enrolled in governement schools. Many schools are non functioning due to non enrolment of children inspite of incentives (supply of free text books,school uniforms and midday meal) coming from the government, development of infrastructure and appointment of graduate teachers to the elementary schools especially of the hill districts. Parents opt mainly for private schools. Good schooling is considered to be enrolment in the private schools. This implies a heavy cost for the children education at the family level. Some parents who are able to afford send their children to private schools in the main city. It implies that the child has to rent an accommodation or stay in a private hostel. As a matter of fact, most of the income of the parents go in school education for their children. In such a condition, it is further observed that the parents through hard labour are able to support the child to go to private schools but slowly declined to financial problem. As year go by their ability to earn and support the children also decline. At the same time, the cost of education increases persistently. In such a situation the child definitely has a glim chance to go for higher studies. Most of the time the child drops out after the elementary education. Back to squire one. Based on the above observation, it can be inferred that only parents with some constant income source are able to support their child upto the completion of the higher studies. In fact, for those who are able, outside colleges are preferred due to the political situation that effects the education process along with the push-pull factor of employment. Therefore, socio-political and economic situations are an intrinsic part of the society triggering a divide between the rich and the poor, middle class and the poor.



As a logical conclusion to this article, I recommend that education sector due to its critical component be declared a ‘free zone’ by all government, civil societies, organizations, villages and people in the hill areas. Considering the situation at present, it is presumed that only an environment of politics free, corruption free and ‘non demand’ policy (inclusive of non-demand by all groups such as so called underground, political leaders and bureaucates) on financial investment coming to ‘right to education’ will allow implimentation of right to education in the hill areas. This would bring in an environment for change; of faith and hope on the government schools at the elementary level; proper running of the governent schools in the hill area. If elementary education, ‘free and compulsory’ (Constitution articles no. 21(A) and Right to Education Act, 2001) is implimented financial burden on the education for children at the elementary education would decline. This would definitely unleased financial capacities of families and villages towards progress and development. However, the task at hand would go unheed without the cooperation of the people; the bureaucrats, teachers, parents, students, contractors and undergrounds. It is opined that this article would provide an idea for the young generations, people, institutions, local bodies and organizations such as student organizations so that people of all sections or ethnic groups of the state would reap the fruits of democracy and good governance, and create space for progressive politics of development, growth and prosperity.

SOS on behalf of displaced children of Loktak

An urgent appeal being submitted by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, New Checkon, Maringland, Imphal 795001, Manipur State (India) to Madam Shantha Sinha, the Hon’ble Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights; 5th Floor Chaderlok Building, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 001, India, seeking her kind and immediate attention and intervention of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to safeguard the right to life, right to education, right to survival and right to protection of the children of around 2000 internally displaced indigenous fishermen of the Loktak lake of Manipur, whose 500 floating huts were mercilessly burnt down by State forces in the name of evicting them allegedly for protection of environment of the lake.

The background
Ever since the commission of the Loktak Hydropower Multipurpose Project with a capacity of 105 mega-watts in 1979, an assortment of ill effects has been brought about. The Loktak lake which spreads over 236.21 sq km, the largest fresh lake in the eastern region India, suffered a serious impinging of its eco-biodiversity, extinction of various flora and fauna, aquatic plants, vegetations, and most emphatically deprivation of traditional livelihood of the inhabitants ie fishing in and around the lake. Thus the historic and traditional rights of the local fishermen over the Loktak lake and its natural resources, has been considerably forfeited. The hydropower multipurpose project had already submersed around 83,000 hectors of cultivable land leaving thousands of farmers unemployed.

Around 3441 fishermen inhabiting on 1147 floating huts locally known as “Phumshang” or “Champo” earn their livelihood by fishing. Such traditional floating huts has been existed since the time immemorial. The legendry story of seven incarnation in Moirang Kangleirol recorded the human existence on the phumdee (floating biomass) huts.

The enactment of controversial “Loktak Lake (Protection) Act. 2006”, which was opposed by indigenous fishermen and civil bodies has brought different negative impacts upon the socio-economic and cultural life of local fishermen communiy. Particularly, Section 20 of the Act prohibits certain activities in Core Zone (comprising 70.30 sq km) including plant or cultivation of Athaphum (phumdis in circular shape, planted or cultured artificially for catching fish), deposit or fix any stone, bamboo, log, net etc into the lake for purpose of rearing fish, build any hut or house on Phumdis inside the lake, engage in Athaphum-fishing in the lake.

The internally displaced fishermen
The latest violent move of State Government, acted in the name of environment protection of Loktak lake, caused irreparable loss to the local fishermen. It became really a gross violation of inherent right to life of the local fishermen and their children. Such a developmental aggression and exclusive environment protection plan backed by violent State forces, who burnt down around 500 flouting huts within 5 days from 15th November is highly condemnable and uncalled for. As of now, around 2000 fishermen including women and children, became internally displaced people.

There was no public hearing, peaceful democratic process, nor any workable rehabilitative plan prior to the violent act of eviction. The State announced only a package of Rs 40,000 as compensation to each family. The State served notices to the villagers on 11 Nov and began burning down of the huts from 15 Nov. The fishermen denounced such notice and compensation, they submitted a memorandum to Shri O. Ibobi Singh, the State Chief Minister, requesting to review the order, which was turned down by the Chief Minister himself. Fishermen stated that the order was unacceptable since it could not ensure them any alternative livelihood. They demanded repeal or amendment of Loktak Lake (Protection) Act. 2006, in order to assure their right to fishing and dwelling on the phumdees, which were practiced by their descendents since time immemorial.

As a result of the recent eviction action in the Loktak lake starting from 15th November, 2011, around 2000 phumdee huts dwellers have been displaced, more than 500 huts have been reduced to ashes, fishermen claimed that property worth lakhs of rupees including implements used in fishing such as fishing gears, nets, domestic articles, cloths, ornaments were lost.

Plight of the children
Around 800 children including 500 school-going children are directly affected. Around 300 displaced children in the age group of 0-6, with their parents are deprived of any pre­school care and education facilities, nor medical facilities and food support from the State Government. Besides, psychologically traumatised, displaced children were reportedly inflicted with certain ailments, as they are exposed to a highly disturbed environment. Another, 300 children who used to attend school daily to the neighbouring schools situated at Moirang, Nongthoukhong and even at Churachandpur from the floating huts, also abruptly stopped going to school following the mass burning down of the floating huts. Another 200 children who are studying in different schools in Imphal and Bishenpur by staying at different boarding/hostels started returning from their respective schools due to the outrageous incident.

Yet another terrorising activities of the State forces is the constant threats to the displaced people who take refuge at different places. Police forcefully dispersed the victims, who took refuse at a Community Hall at Ningthoukhong kha Mamang leikai, Bishnupur on 19 November, again from Kwakeithel Tiddim Ground area Imphal on 20 and 21 November just to suppress the voice of the poor fishermen. Besides, police do surveillance upon the movement of the fishermen by checking all the vehicles plying on Bishnupur to Imphal preventing fishermen being travelled to Imphal, only to abort any agitation in Imphal.

Seeking Immediate Attention
Therefore, it is drawn the immediate attention of NCPCR to intervene the situation, to stop the violent process of burning of floating huts and repression of the democratic agitation and voice of the displaced local fishermen. It is requested the young children with displaced parents are provided with immediate relief materials and a safe place for temporary settlement.

It is requested to amend/repeal the controversial Loktak Lake (Protection) Act. 2006 to make it more humane and fishermen friendly legislation.

It is requested to direct the State to make a broad plan for the children of the displaced fishermen, who have returned from their school, to send back to their respected schools for enabling them to appear the forthcoming exams without any apprehension and trauma.

Further, it is requested to direct the State to announce an alternative livelihood of the displaced fishermen, by implementing an inclusive plan in which the traditional rights and livelihood of the fishermen community are protected and promoted; so that they could look after and protect their children’s right to life, right to development, survival and protection, as well as the ecology and environment of Loktak lake is also conserved and protected at the same time.

In conclusion, the madam chairperson is requested to arrange a field visit of NCPCR team to the affected area in an earliest possible date in the best interest of the internally displaced children.

RTE Act

IMPHAL, Sep 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education” (RTE) was held at Yurem-bam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurem-bam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, Education (S) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office,zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

MACR highlights woes of displaced Loktak children to NCPCR

IMPHAL, November 22: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, New Checkon, Maringlane has submitted a representation to chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Santha Sinha, seeking immediate attention and intervention to safeguard the right to life, right to education, right to survival and right to protection of around 2000 children displaced indigenous fishermen of the Loktak lake.

The group informed that around 800 children including 500 school-going children are directly affected by the eviction. Around 300 displaced children in the age group of 0-6, with their parents are deprived of any pre-school care and education facilities, nor medical facilities and food support from the state government, it claimed.

Besides, psychologically traumatized, displaced children were reportedly inflicted with certain ailments, as they are exposed to a highly disturbed environment.

It said another, 300 children who used to attend school daily to the neighbouring schools situated at Moirang, Ningthoukhong and even at Churachandpur from the floating huts, have also abruptly stopped going to school following the mass burning down of the floating huts while another 200 children who are studying in different schools in Imphal and Bishenpur by staying at different boarding/hostels have started returning from their respective schools due to the outrageous incident, it claimed.

It drew the immediate attention of NCPCR to intervene the situation, to stop the violent process of burning floating huts and repression of the democratic agitation and voice of the displaced local fishermen.

It also requested that the young children along with their displaced parents are provided with immediate relief materials and a safe place for temporary settlement.

At the same time, it has also urged to amend/repeal the controversial Loktak Lake (Protection) Act. 2006, to make it more humane and fishermen friendly legislation.

On the other hand, the memorandum also appeal the NCPCR to direct the state to make a broad plan for the children of the displaced fishermen, who have returned from their school, to send back to their respected schools for enabling them to appear the forthcoming exams without any apprehension and trauma.

Further, it is requested to direct the state to announce an alternative livelihood of the displaced fishermen, by implementing an inclusive plan in which the traditional rights and livelihood of the fishermen community are protected and promoted; so-that they could look after and protect their children’s right to life, right to development, survival and protection, as well as the ecology and environment of Loktak lake is also conserved and protected at the same time.

MACR`s team visits evicted Loktak families

IMPHAL FREE PRESS
IMPHAL, November 19: A team of the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights led by its convenor K Pradeep Kumar today made a surveillance tour of the District Multi-purpose Mini Stadium, Ningthoukhong Kha Mamang Leikai where the displaced fishers of Loktak lake including women, children are currently seeking refuge. The alliance has further decided to file a report on the condition of the children and forward it to the concerned authorities.

The tour was organized to inspect the effect of the eviction on the children of the displaced families.

On reaching the camp, the team found that the district authorities have ordered the evicted families to further evacuate from the area. The team also found that the displaced families including around 500 children were all set to shift from the area to Thanga Chinglak community hall which is some kilometres away from their present camp.

Unhappy with the condition of the children at the camp, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights has decided to file a report on the condition of the displaced children and to forward it to the concerned state authorities and pressurise the state to provide necessary rehabilitation to the affected children, said the co-convenor of the alliance Bheiga Singh.

During the tour, the alliance team was told that the eviction of the fishers from their floating huts had started since November 15, he informed.

The villagers also informed the team that there were around 2000 floating huts on the Loktak lake, however around 300 huts had been burned down since the eviction started, he further stated.

There are around 500 children of which around 300 are school going children presently putting up at the camp, he further stated.

With winter setting in the state, the children’s health have started to deteriorate due to the unhygienic condition at the camp and as such the state health department should provide necessary health care facilities to the displaced vilagers especially the children and old-aged, he further stated.

NGO assesses plight of displaced kids of Loktak

IMPHAL, Nov 19: Volun-teers of Manipur Alliance for Children Rights today assessed the impact of the recent Government of Manipur’s eviction drive at loktak Lake on the children of the displaced families.

After interacting with some of the displaced families who are taking refuge at the Ningthoukhong Kha Mamang Leikai community hall today Alliance convenor Keisham Pradipkumar deplored the Government’s alleged inconsiderate attitude and callousness towards the fishing community.

Noting that most of the Loktak dwellers had been settled in the Lake for over a hundred year with fishing as the only means for survival, the convenor decried the sudden move of the Government to evict the settlers without arranging alternate source of livelihood.

With the ouster of the fishing folks the hardest impact would certainly befall on the young children, he opined and termed the Govt’s action as a violation of Right to Life of the children.

Expressing that prior provision of a resettlement package might have been a welcome move, Pradipkumar also said such inhumane act of the Government amounts to exposing the children to traumatic experience which will have a negative impact on their mentality.

He further suggested that along with relief measures for the displaced children the Government pay adequate compensation for all the huts dismantled/burnt down by the eviction team in the absence of the hut owners.

For the Children

Source- Imphal Free Press

Leader writer : Paojel ChaobaTimes are tough,no need to describe the
sufferings of the public. The economic blockade still enforced by the UNC leaves
us in a status quo. Among the major wants is fuel, serpentine queues are still
witnessed and one has to wait long hours in the sun to get the rationed
amount.
The unavailability of petrol creates a domino effect to the entire system.
The education sector is also affected as school vans cannot transport students
and private schools had to close down for the day. Similarly teachers find it
hard to attend their duties due to the predicament.
Such issues need to be monitored by the government and at present it is
clearly evident that the SPF ministry had left much wanting in its governance.
The flagship schemes for the child, Sarva Sikhsya Abhiyan, mid day meals etc are
aimed for the benefit of the child, but is much debatable if the norms so laid
down under the provisions of the schemes are implemented in totality. The recent
scam of an assistant inspector of Bishnupur district caught selling off rice
meant for students by the school monitoring committee is an eye opener, there
must be myriad similar scams being perpetrated, especially at the hill areas.
The implementing bodies of the government are there but the need for a
monitoring body to assess and take preventive measures for the welfare of the
child, a State Commission for Protection of Child Rights must be instituted at
the earliest.
The Convention on the Rights of the child (CRC) was adopted as a treaty body
in the UN on 20th November 1989. India signed and ratified the CRC on 11th
December 1992. On signing and ratifying the Convention, India is mandated to
monitor and enforce this treaty.
In 2011, we have a year left for India to submit its periodic report on the
implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child in 2012. Cutting
closer to home, on just the surface of the point lies many schools, where
children under 18 years of age goes, closed under the reeling crunch of fuel
shortages among others. How do we explain this scenario in our various reports
on the implementation of CRC, notwithstanding the fact that RTE 2009 has been
passed, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is still in progress, Juvenile Justice(Care and
Protection) Act 2006 has been passed with due amendments, Integrated Child
Protection Scheme has been initiated and implemented with due budgetary
allocations and many others which necessarily paves way for the best interests
of the child to survive, to develop, to participate and to be protected,
including special protection in situations of emergency and armed conflict.
Human rights activism in Manipur is not mere heresay and it’s a serious
matter including those of child rights. Civil society’s reaction to the rampant
kidnapping of children, closure of schools, trafficking have resulted in
positive response even from the government in earlier years. Dissemination of
information and awareness building amongst the stakeholders about the pertinence
of child rights in shaping a better tomorrow has not seen the end of the day.
Effective and strategic efforts define the working of many an organisation for
children in a place like Manipur where children are often denied of childhood,
be it be drugs, armed conflict, displacement, or simply failure of the
governance system.
Juxtaposed with this impending emergency of bandhs and blockades, where
children are consistently and continuously denied of basic health care,
nutrition, adequate standard of living(read electricity), denied of the right to
be educated, to leisure and above all denied of the right for their views to be
respected or should we say denied of a space to be heard at all.
Where do we go from here? No doubt we have our Child Welfare Committees,
Juvenile Justice Boards in place under the purview of the JJ Act, which the
government was almost compelled to pass due to a PIL filed by child right
activists in 2000. But that is still a limited arena for the varied and manifold
spectrum of rights that need to be fulfilled for a child to live a dignified
life and to maketh a better Manipur. We are aware that CRC is being implemented
and the state government will endeavor to fulfill the rights of the child in all
its capacity but who will monitor the progress and who will take compliance?
Significantly, the Commission for the Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 has
been enacted and a National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has
been duly formed in 2007. Officials from this National Commissions has come to
Manipur to conduct public hearings to look into the violations of child rights
and instructed the state government to take necessary actions. So far, 12 states
have constituted the State Commissions for Child rights including that of Assam,
Sikkim, Goa, Delhi, Karnataka, Bihar, Rajasthan etc. Manipur was one of the
foremost state to constitute a State Human rights Commission, procrastinated on
setting up the Manipur State Commission for Women and we believe that the State
Commission on the protection of child rights will soon see the day once our
legislators get pro-active on an issue which is so deemed necessary in our
state, in our land which we know for sure that we do not inherit from our
ancestors but borrow it from our children.

RTE Act

Source- Sangai express

IMPHAL, Sep 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education” (RTE) was held at Yurem-bam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurem-bam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, Education (S) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office,zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Convention on RTE stresses on need of a monitorig body

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, September 29: A one day district convention on “Right to Free and Compulsory Education”(RTE) was held at Yurembam Awang High School today. The convention was jointly organized by Yurembam Apunba Club and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights.

N Nimai, retired joint director, education (s) graced the convention as the chairperson.

Special invitees including Gopi Mohan, Zonal Education Office, zone II, Yaima, deputy inspector, Zone I, L Chaobihal Devi, pradhan of Yurembem gram panchayat, Y Laba, senior journalist and founder member of Manipur Human Rights Commission and Pradip Kumar, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights attended the convention and delivered their comments on the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Among the speakers, Pradip Kumar stressed that the Act has not been implemented in totality in the state and the children of the state have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

Comparing the right to education with the right to life, he said that to monitor the RTE Act from the grass-root level, the School Monitoring Committee (SMC) system have been instituted under the provision of the act to observe the conduct of the teachers and the functioning of the school so that the children may get the facilities so provided under the act.

He mentioned that a SMC committee consisting of 14 members should be constituted for every school and half of the committee should comprise of women as per the norms given.

Under the act there are provisions for exemption of 25 percent from the admission fees of the students during times of enrollment in private schools since the inception of the act.

“The students studying in class I should avail the facility in private schools, as the RTE have been in implementation from the previous year onwards, yet the private schools are still to address the issue”, he said.

“There should be no screening exams conducted for the admission of students to the private schools so as to ensure free and fair education, yet it still goes on regardless”, he added.

Mentioning the hindrances in the RTE act by the departments concerned, he said that the implementing body of the RTE, officials of the concerned education (s) department when approached were also confused in their stance regarding implementation of the Act in totality.

He stressed on the need of a monitoring body to oversee the implementing authority of the RTE for better transparency and providing the amenities under the Act.

“The need to institute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is the need of the hour as such a body can monitor and fill the voids left lacking post implementation of the RTE Act”, he said.

Yambem Laba, also in a similar assertion stated that the state have been in a cesspool of corruption owing to many factors and has inherently affected the education sector.

He said that corrections in the system cannot be made overnight, but have to begin systematically from the grass root level onwards and will take time.

“Every individual or official has a large role to play in addressing the effective realization of the RTE , the requirement is to maintain one’s ideology and selfless endeavour in working to bring about a better system of delivering quality education by the government schools”, he said.

He further stated that behind the guise of non state actors, anti social elements have been preying on the infrastructure development of schools for monetary gains, such actions should be differed by the concerned and must have the courage to face the adversity to bring about a holistic change in the education sector and otherwise, he said.

The convention also saw participation from the attendees in an interaction session with officials from the education department.

It may be mentioned that the RTE Act, 2009 provides free and compulsory education to children from six to fourteen years of age besides other facilities of free text books, uniform, schoolbags, provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities among others.

MACR calls for sanity, lifting blockade

IMPHAL, Sep 23: Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has appealed to both Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and United Naga Council (UNC) to end their respective economic blockade and counter economic blockade immedi- ately in consideration of suffering of the people specially innocent children of all communities in Manipur.

MACR has also appealed to the Government of Manipur to resolve tactfully the volatile issue before it goes out of hand and warned that if not, an impending humanitarian crisis of severe artificial famine and even ethnic clashes are in the offing.

In a statement signed by its convenor Keisham Pradipkumar, MACR observed that it is high time for self-retrospection, to understand that the protracted economic blockade called by SHDDC since July 31 and subsequent counter blockade called by UNC from August 21 have failed to bring any honourable solution, but it has literally held the people of Manipur to ransom, which would not be the real target of either SHDCC or UNC.

Everyone knows that if the economic blockade or the counter economic blockade have ever brought any benefits, it is only to the business community, who enjoy their heydays during blockade period. They accumulate huge profits out of the ever sky-rocketing prices of essential goods. It is now becoming obvious that the State, its elites and business community are hand in glove and are conspiring covertly to prolong the agitation only to serve their vested interest while keeping the poor masses as sacrificial lamb, MACR observed.

MACR pointed out that with the economic blockade completing 53 days, its acute economic and social impact is now becoming quite noticeable even as many hungry stricken students have already left their classrooms and took out protests and drivers against the State Government’s failure to control the unreasonably high prices of essential goods. Several times, transportation of school children is being compelled to bring to a halt while managing to get fuel and the situation of supplying Mid-Day meal’s food grains and ICDS food grains is becoming more grim.

It has only worsen the overall Right to Education, Right to Food and Right to Life situation in the State which is already in a pitiable position. Many poor parents could hardly feed their children even two meals a day while many patients, specially pregnant mothers are facing hardship due to want of Oxygen and life saving drugs.

Moreover, the fate of children living with HIV/AIDS and other PLHAs who are on ART, are uncertain as the ART drugs are at the brink of running out stock at any point of time, as even the trucks transporting medicines are not spared by the agitators, the statement of MACR observed.

MACR appeals to call off blockades

Imphal, September 23 2011: While considering the ever grievous impact to the general public, with special reference to the sufferings of the innocent children of all communities, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) appealed to the SHDDC and UNC to end their economic blockades at the earliest.

A press release of MACR also appealed to the state government to resolve the issue before it takes and ugly turn which might flare up ethnic clashes.

The release further stated that many hunger stricken students have already left classrooms and took out protest and drives against the state's failure to control the unreasonably high prices.

The ongoing blockades have violated the Right to Education, Right to Food and Right to Life.

Many poor parents could hardly feed their children and many patients, especially the pregnant women, who are facing untold sufferings due to want of oxygen and life saving drugs.

The fate of children living with HIV/AIDS and other PLHAs who are on ART are uncertain as the ART drugs are on the brink of drying up as even the trucks transporting medicines are not spared by the agitators, it stated.

"It is high time for self retrospection, to understand that the ever prolonged economic blockades called by SHDDC from July 31 and subsequent counter blockade called by UNC from August 21 have failed to bring any honorable solution, but has literally held the people of Manipur to ransom, which would not be the real target of either SHDDC or UNC" it stressed.

Ukhrul students deprived of provisions under Right to Education Act

IMPHAL Sept 15: The right of the children to free and compulsory education as enshrined in the constitution fails to address the children studying in almost all the government schools functioning in Ukhrul district. Parents have to pay educational expenses on their own on in stark contrast to the provision provided in the RTE Act 2009.

As per the rules no child studying in Government school (Class I to Class VII) is liable to pay admission, tuition, examination and any other fees or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementary education.

However, even after more than a year since the RTE Act is implemented in the state, there is still big gap between what is assured by the government for the children studying in government run schools and what is being implemented in the ground. The children in the district could get text book of a few subject in the middle of the academic session, only part of the uniform is available to each children. School bags could not be made available to all the children enrolled in the government and aided schools in the primary and upper primary level during the 2010-2011 as per DISE Report.

This was stated by H. Thotchuila, convener of Ukhrul District Alliance for Child Rights,UDARC during her key note address of the inaugural session of the one day District Level People’s convention on RTE. The convention was held today at the Multi-purpose conference hall of Mini Secretariat in Ukhrul.

She elaborated that Infrastructural development is still a big challenge. Most of the schools do not have safe drinking water facilities, separate restrooms for boys and girls, adequate classrooms, benches and desks. Many of the Schools in the district are of ill equipped to run for normal classes. Further during her speech she highlighted that many of the provisions are yet to be realized such as the 25% reservation in class I in private schools for economically disadvantaged children belonging to SC, ST,OBC, minorities, orphans, children affected/infected by HIV and others whose parents income does not exceed Rs. 40000 per annum.

The state government has failed to address the required necessary arrangements in the district for the children with special needs, particularly mentally and physically challenged children. The pursuit of bringing quality education is misdirected in the district as many of the teachers appointed to teach in the schools are indulging in employing proxy teachers on their behest.

She further stressed during her speech that the recognition of private schools should be strictly comply with the prescribed norms of the RTE Act. Pupils Teachers Ratio needs to be specifying at the earliest in order to avoid congestions in the classroom particularly in private schools, she said.

She added that corporal punishment and mental harassment continue to inflict the children not only violating the child rights but also discourage them from study.

Citing the need to introduce the school teachers to train adequate professional degree within five years to improve quality education in the district, Thotchuila urged the authority concerned to include the counseling aspect during teachers training. Later she urged that a rigorous capacity building is needed for the School Management Committee in order to sharpen their efficiencies to effectively perform their duties.

In the mean time R. Sudhan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul district while addressing the gathering as the chief guest of today’s inaugural session pointed out that there is a need to develop community participation in bringing coherent academic atmosphere. He said that public participation is a must, if we are to garner successful implementation of welfare schemes. Recounting on his personal experiences on the hill districts of the state, Sudhan asserted that the hill areas are lacking in the standard of education scenario as compare to their counter parts in the valley districts. There are no sufficient teachers to impart the students, infrastructures are in shamble and attendance of student ratio is poor. Highlighting on the issue of teachers indulging in employing proxy teachers in the hill districts, he said that strict vigilance needs to be impose to the schools.

Keisam Pradeep, convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights who was also on the dais during the function also stressed on the issue of proxy teachers and social deprivation of mentally and physically challenged students.

The District level People’s convention on RTE was organized by UDACR in collaboration with MACR.

W. Rock, Chairman SMDC Siroi Hills, N. Everest Luikham, ZEO, Ukhrul, Silla J. Konghay, president TSL and Ringyuichon Vashum member secretary CWC Ukhrul were also on the dais during the inaugural session of the convention.

Child Rights activists call for effective RTE

Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has called upon the stakeholders to initiate serious actions for effective implementation of Right to Education (RTE) in the state.
In the District Level Convention on RTE held in Ukhrul today, MACR convenor Keisam Pradip said, “Manipur is lacking in various areas in RTE implementation. This convention is to promote a campaign for its proper implementation.”

He rued that the state government is not serious enough to implement the Act and has even failed to adopt certain measures regarding the child rights in Manipur.
Keisam stated that RTE is also about Right to Life and is inter-related with child rights. “Ask what action has been taken in the district in case of default in RTE implementation,” he posed a query to the participants on the status of RTE implementation in Ukhrul.

In a keynote address UDACR convenor H Thotchuila, said, “…we still experienced a big gap between what is promised to children and what is being implemented on the ground.”

In the last 62 years since the country’s Independence, she stated that “The Act (RTE) is a historic opportunity for providing better future to children of the country as there was never such a landmark legislation…However, this can really happen if all the stakeholders honestly take the responsibility and there is a political will to happen this.”

However, UDACR convenor cited the multiple lacunae dogging the RTE implementation in the state. In her keynote address, she mentioned the undue delay and insufficient supply of school materials to children, non-improvement of school infrastructure and failure to implement 25percent reservation for economically disadvantaged children. Thotchuila also stated, “There is no intervention of for children with special needs, particularly mentally challenged children.”

Further, she called upon the need for quality education, discontinuation of corporal and metal harassment meted out to the children, still prevailing in various schools in the state, while also emphasizing on incorporating counseling aspects in teacher’s training. The convention was today graced by Ukhrul SDO Rajan Vishal, who stepped in as chief guest in the eleventh hour after the DC was inopportune to attend the programme.

Harping upon the need for community participation in regard to RTE implementation, Rajan also urged the organizer to the campaign to grassroot level. “Community participation is very important for effective RTE implementation…organizers should also take the campaign to sub-divisional area,” he stated.

Ukhrul ZEO Ngaraipam Luikham elaborated on the status of RTE implementation in the district. However, he expressed regret for failure to effectively implement the historic Act citing functional difficulties.

Urging the UDACR to join hands with the zonal education office in implementing the RTE, he is optimistic of effectiveness and transparency in RTE campaign.
In the technical session, which was held on certain issues including SMC formation, 25 percent reservation, school recognition process, proxy teachers, corporal punishment, teachers pupil ratio (TPR) among others, many participants pitched in questions for discussion.
Interestingly, the technical session witnessed spirited debated between the child rights activists and Ukhrul ZEO.

Manipur stands against AFSPA as world remembers 9/11 tragedy

IMPHAL, Sept 11: As the world commemorated the 10th anniversary of Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, the people of Manipur today commemorated the 53rd anniversary of the President of India giving his assent to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

Shielding off the armed forces of the union operating the 'disturbed area' from any legal action, AFSPA has institutionalized impunity and facilitated gross human rights violations including enforced disappearances, rape, extra-judicial execution, torture and arbitrary detention.

Over two hundred people took out a silent march by tying a black band on their mouth. The protestors belonging to all communities of Manipur including the Meitei, Naga and Kuki; and representing various organisations including Sharmila Kangba Lup (SAKAL), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Wide Angle, HERICON, People's Dialogue Initiative, Naga Leader's Forum, Manipur, United NGO Mission Manipur (UNM-M), Centre for Social Development (CSD), Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), Chanura Lamjinglen Kangkleika (CLK), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Widow Welfare Society, Weaker Section Development Council, Centre for Women and Girl etc. hold the day long protest under the banner of Just-Peace Foundation (JPF).

The marchers gathered at JNIMS hospital where Sharmila has been held in isolation on charges of attempting to commit suicide for her hunger strike demanding the repeal of the AFSPA since November 2000. The silent march started from JNIMS in an expression of people's solidarity to Sharmila's historic struggle against the Act and to symbolically infuse her spirit into the people's movement.

The marcher carried play cards and banner with a clarion call for REPEAL AFSPA. The silent marcher arrived at Iboyaima Sanglen, Palace Compound - the pre-planned venue for a day-long-hunger strike and public meeting.

Sharing the painful memories of people living in isolated hill districts where the civil space is highly militarized, one of the women leaders narrated the personal experiences of having violated women's chastity, dignity and privacy and also the traumatic experiences of a large number of youth and children. She called upon the Central as well as the State government of to give people a chance for and a sense of being cared and heard by repealing AFSPA.

During the meeting the four member delegation of JPF, who visited New Delhi on the invitation of the Union Law Minister reported of their meeting on 7 September 2011 and appraised the gathering of the negotiations with the central government on the issue of the repeal of AFSPA.

Elsewhere in Manipur, around fifty persons organised a special prayer in a local mosque at Lilong in Thoubal district and organised a day long sit-in-protest echoing the same demand - REPEAL AFSPA.

People's voice to repeal the Act has also been reverberated in various corner of the country. In Delhi University more than two hundred student and activist from all over India gather at the Arts Faculty gate to register their protest against AFSPA. Representatives of the National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM), People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), All India Student's Alliance (AISA), JNU Student's Union etc. spoke during the meeting. It is resolved that a solidarity peace rally will be brought out on 2 October 2011 under the banner of Right to Life campaign. A torch rally is also being organized in JNU campus to-night.

Internationally, the Solidarity for Democratization Movement in Asia and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development in a press release dated today also call upon the government of India to demilitarize Kashmir and the North East and also to repeal AFSPA. Today the New York Time carried an article In India, 11-Year Hunger Striker Military Violence Is Waged in Shadows.

CRY promotes “My School Campaign”

India Blooms News Service

Kolkata, Sept 9 (IBNS) Amid the presence of some of the most popular Bangla band singers, Child Rights and You (CRY) on the occasion of World Literacy Day on Thursday organized a campaign called “My School Campaign” which was meant to highlight children’s vision of a perfect school.


Part of the campaign was exhibition of post cards and drawings by children from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Manipur who had written how they envisage a perfect school.

The exhibition was a visual expression of these children’s aspirations and their vision of a perfect school.

Their vision included small things like play ground, school dress, midday meal, cleanliness, computer, library, health check-up, and basic amenities like drinking water, toilets and school buildings. A school where there was no discrimination.

This initiative of CRY is to bridge the gap between the have and have-not. The main aim of CRY was to create awareness about child rights which include Right To Free Education (RTE).

The campaign threw light on how children in the rural areas and the urban slums are being devoid of basic facilities in school.

CRY depicted the enormous gap between what Constitution ensures and what the reality is.

Atindronath Das, Regional Director CRY, said that Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education ACT of 2009 for children belonging to 6-14 years age group has not been implemented properly.

He said that “awareness is important but along with that State govt. has to take responsibility to implement the Act.”

He threw light on how CRY is monitoring the implementation of the Act by collecting primary data from government schools across the country.

He also expressed his concern about the problem of growing school dropouts as well as child labour.

Abhik Bhattacharya, Senior Manager, Media Advocacy, CRY, said that it is important to make parents understand the importance of education and in turn change the mindset of a community at large.

Sidhu of Cactus band, Anindya Chattopadhya of Chandrabindu band and singer Nipobithi attended the Kolkata campaign which was part of the National Campaign.

Sidhu supporting the cause said “we were fortunate enough to go to a school with good teachers, play grounds and proper infrastructure…but we need to help many who are devoid of such facilities.”

Nipobithi suggested that “we can bring smile on the faces of these children by contributing in our own way..like buying dresses which will also make us happy.”

According to CRY, more than 35 million children are out of school now. Only one in six of 1.7 million rural schools have toilets.

It says 60% schools have less than two teaches to teach in class I and V while 40 million children are working in India.



(Reporting by Nawaneeta Subba, photo by Tathagata Das)

CRY " My School campaign" at Jadavpur University Campus, Kolkata

House passes a bill, directs another to Select Committee

Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 29 2011: The Manipur State Assembly in its last day of the 11th session passed a bill and directed another to the Select Committee for further consideration.

The Indian Stamp (Manipur) Second Amendment Bill 2011 proposed by CM, O Ibobi was passed by the House unanimously.

However members expressed the need of further discussion on The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (Manipur) Bill, 2011 proposed by Education Minister DD Thaisii.

Speaker I Hemochandra directed the Bill to a Select Committee with Education Minister DD Thaisii as its Chairman to report on the bill within one month.

MLA, L Nandakumar, MLA, Dr Ng Bijoy, Law Minister, Th Devendra, MLA, O Joy and MLA Radhabinod Koijam were announced as members of the select committee.

Govt inspecting on allotment of Reserve Forest areas: Coming down heavily on government officials for allotting 0.0242 acre of Reserve Forest land areas inside the Thongak Beat Campus, Langol to the Secretary of Unemployed Small Traders' Association, Revenue Minister, Th Devendra today told the House that appropriate actions will be taken up against any accused officials.

To a question asked by MLA, M Hemanta, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat told the house that people are facing shortage of fertilizers due to the ongoing blockades on the NHs.

A Nodal Fertiliser Officer with additional charge of Fertiliser Inspector has been appointed for the District Agriculture Officers for proper and uniformed distribution of fertilizers.

Replying to questions of MLA O Joy and RK Anand, RD&PR Md Allauddin Khan said that the state share of MGNREGS for 2010-11 and 2011-12 has not been released till now.

However he failed to give a satisfactory reply when asked if the government gives unemployment allowances to job card holders if they are not provided work for 100 days.

In reply to a question asked by MLA, Morung Makunga, IFCD Minister N Biren told the House that the proposed Chakpi Multipurpose Project will not affect any villages in the area except for a house situated near the proposed site.

Ward members to be utilized-CM: The elected and nominated Ward Development Members of the Municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats will be given their power and functions by September this year, said CM, O Ibobi.

Accepting the proposal of MLA O Joy for a discussion on the matter, the CM told the House that Centre is discussing for a bill to stage swearing in ceremony for the Ward Members.

The state government is also discussing for providing power and functions and honorarium to the ward members.

' 11.81 crore earmarked for Thangmeiband roads-Works Minister :An amount of '11.81 crore has been earmarked for the development and renovation of the IVRs in Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency, said Works Minister K Ranjit today.

He was giving reply to a calling attention motion moved by MLA Radhabinod Koijam.

Ranjit said that the government is unable to develop the IVRs in Thangmeiband A/C since the constructions under Sewerage Project is not complete.

As soon as the project is completed, the development works of the IVRs in the area will be taken up.

He also said that the government has also earmarked a sum of Rs 4.64 crore and Rs 3.42 crore for the upgradation of the Nagamapal Road and Khoyathong to Watham Leirak Road.

Loktak Protection Act to be amended-Devendra: Agreeing that The Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Second Ammendment Bill 2011 needs to be amended in order to protect the lake and the fishermen living around the lake, Law Minister Th Devendra today told the House.

RK Anand proposes to set up Child Rights Commission:MLA RK Anand proposed the House to set up a Child Rights Commission.

MLA, T Hangkhanpao called attention of the government on the death of a expecting mother who died due to lack of doctor and nurses in the Health Centre at Behiang village.