Source- The Telegraph OUR CORRESPONDENT |
Imphal, Feb. 9: The alleged humiliation of a minor girl by officials of the Manipur power department during a drive to disconnect unauthorised and defaulting connections threatens to embroil the department in a legal wrangle. The girl’s mother has served a legal notice to the department, seeking a reply as to why legal action should not be taken against the department and the two local dailies, which published a photograph of the minor girl. The notice was served by Ng. Khomdonbi, mother of the girl, a student of Class X, through her lawyer, on February 4. The department had launched the drive on January 24 and disconnected many unauthorised connections in and around the city of Imphal, including the girl’s locality, Yaiskul Police lane. The girl’s mother was not present in the house when power department officials made her stand, spread a festoon in front of her and declared Khomdonbi an unauthorised consumer. The officials also video recorded the incident. Two local newspapers published the photograph of the girl and the festoon along with the officials the next day. In the legal notice, Khomdonbi’s counsel, Mutum Gourahari, said the officials subjected the minor girl to mental agony and physical harassment that disturbed her normal life. Khomdonbi said her daughter stopped attending school and going out of the house after the incident. This has caused serious concern to the mother as the girl’s matriculation examination is round the corner. The mother took the girl to the psychiatric department of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on February 3 and the girl underwent clinical therapy for the trauma. A doctor, who examined the girl, said she had suffered from excessive thinking, sleep disorder, loss of appetite and suicidal tendency. The doctor did not want to be quoted. The act of the officials of the power department has evoked sharp reactions from child activists. “The act of the officials was wrong and a violation of child rights,” Keisam Pradipkumar, a child rights activist, said. In the legal notice, officials of the power department, including chief engineer N. Sarat, have been asked to reply why legal action should not be taken against them along with appropriate compensation for defaming and demoralising the girl. The counsel said he would approach an appropriate legal forum if no satisfactory reply came from the respondents within two months. The department’s drive came after three prominent citizens of Manipur filed a public interest litigation, seeking a directive from the Imphal bench of Gauhati High Court to the Manipur government to ensure at least eight hours of power supply daily to the consumers. On an average, the consumers received only three to four hours of power supply daily because of shortage of power. The drive has now been extended to all the four valley districts and the department plans to extend it to the five hill districts. |
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Power section served notice
“Leima lost her smile”
By Paojel Chaoba
IMPHAL Feb 9: She was alone at her house located at Yaiskul area on January 24 ,the only adult and sole bread earner of her family ,her widowed mother had gone out on the day’s business.
Then arrived the officials of the electricity department on their power drive at her residence, her house listed as an unauthorized consumer. Leima was made to stand in front of a placard by the electricity department officials and videographed.
She was smiling at the time , innocently oblivious of what was happening. The day ended.
The milkman came and shouted to her mother Khomdonbi , “Why did you put the photo of your daughter in the newspaper.†Surprised , she ran out to get a copy, she saw and tears ran down her cheeks as she relived the pain of motherhood once again. Leima also lost her smile. Following uncensored publication of her photograph in a newspaper ,Leima (name changed) is undergoing counseling at RIMS psychiatric ward as she started developing suicidal tendencies.
A follow up by IFP revealed that the since the inception of the power drive of the state electricity department to disconnect power lines of defaulters and unauthorized consumers under Electricity Act,2003 starting Janury 24 last. For judicial purposes, unauthorized consumers had to be video graphed to enable the department to press charges. The Chief Engineer of the department questioned on a child being treated in the manner stated that the placard the officials were holding bears the name of her mother and not of the child.
“We have taken photos of all the unauthorized consumers ,unfortunately she was alone at the said residence at that time, the photo is just to establish proof and kept confidential and will help the consumer in future if they want a reconnection, no one invited the media and they should not publish the photographâ€,the CE clarified.
Leima’s mother Khomdonbi on her part stated that , she sold her late husband’s ancestral land and had moved in their new house recently. As repairs were still underway , the masons had connected the unauthorized line just to operate their electrical tools.
She voiced resentment against the electricity department officials and to the media organization on the actions perpetrated to her daughter. “ They power drive officials can’t hold my daughter accountable in my stead , what they have done is wrong. The media might mean well ,but the photograph of my daughter should not have been published in totality. Would the electricity officials and the media do the same , if Leima was their own daughterâ€,she lamented. “I am going to take legal action and won’t rest till justice has been doneâ€,she added.
Consequently , Advocate M Gourahari on behalf of Khomdonbi served a legal notice to the Chief Engineer, Commissioner(Power) and to the concerned media house under section 80 of the Code of Civil Procedures in respect to victimization of the child on February 4. The notice mentions of initiating legal procedures within a month if satisfactory reply is not received from the respondents.
An application was intimated to the convenor of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) requesting appropriate action in the regard. Activist K Pradip of MACR stated that they have received an application from the victim’s family and have started the fact finding process. “ The girl was tagged unnecessarily by the power department officials , we condemn the way the department has dealt the situation.The case is similar to the arrest of one baby Bidyarani of Nongmaikhong by police personnel some years back ,she was locked up as her parents had absconded . Meanwhile , it was unfortunate that a media house exposed the identity of the girl child without adhering to ethical normsâ€,he said.
Veteran Journalist K Madhumangol Sharma on the matter stated that the media needs to be careful while publishing news and photographs. “ We have a certain code of conduct and needs to know where to draw the line. We have to be ethical or we might get caught in a compromising situationâ€,he stated,talking during the sidelines of a press conference held for disabled persons.
At the same venue ,Sushma Laishram ,Director of Spastic Society of Manipur added that the child has the right to privacy , “Even taking photographs of disabled persons is not allowed without the consent of the person or guardiansâ€,she said.
The Yaiskul Volunteers’ Organisation in a press release by the General Secretary of the organization ,H Santosh condemned the news publication for tarnishing the image of Leima. The release states that the child is appearing for the HSLC exams and the news report amounts to presenting her as a common criminal. YVO also mentioned of taking up libel charges against the publication.
As per diagnosis of Leima by a doctor of RIMS Psychiatric Department on February 3 , she is suffering from acute stress reaction and if persists for a month can become PTSD ( post traumatic stress disorder).
She was further diagnosed having suicidal wishes, loss of appetite, excessive thinking, irregular sleep,aprehension. She was refereed for counseling and prescribed anti anxiety medication.
Leima still refuses to go to school on apprehension that she would be ridiculed by her friends. She is the eldest of three sisters and is preparing to appear for her metric exam.
It may be mentioned that , the freedom of expression protected by Article 19(1) of the Indian constitution is an explicit guarantee in favour of greater media rights and the importance of a free Press has been recognized by the Supreme Court, while there is no explicit or related provisions providing the right to privacy. The Supreme Court traced the constitutional nature of this right in the case of Rajgopal vs Tamil Nadu and listed criteria for civil actions.
Quoting an excerpt from the Rajgopal case , the Supreme Court listed that “It is not always necessary to bring truth to the notice of the general public. Let us assume that there is a victim of rape. In Indian society, if it is known that a particular woman has been subjected to rape there is a guarantee for a miserable life to her. In such a social order the poor victim may try to hide this truth from the public. Would it be right for the press to publish such a story ? After all, it is not going to serve any public purpose. In such a situation the poor lady shall be entitled to have a right to privacy although factually it would be correct that such a lady was raped. Therefore , it would not be always sufficient defence that the story published was factually correct. If the contention pleaded before us is accepted that truth should be a defense without further qualifications, then the press men shall enter anybody’s bed room. As has been held in R Rajgopal case that the right to privacy and right of freedom of press have to be balanced , therefore , a laxman rekha has to be drawn somewhere and in our view the laxman rekha is the public interest. We are of the opinion that in the interest of decency
Monday, February 7, 2011
Editorial – Education Department of Manipur needs a serious cleaning
Leader Write : Jimmy Leivon
Saturday leader: The subject of “Education” at this era has gone to another height. With the changing of time the subject has been define to be more sensitive issue by think tanks of the world. So sensitive that today it is considered to be more important than “Right to Life”. Even in India the act has become a fundamental right, giving every child between the age of 6 and 14 years the right to free and compulsory education. It was passed by Parliament in December 2002, legally enforceable duty of the Centre and the states to provide free and compulsory education.
However the fate of the students in Manipur is very much in a sorry state. Despite legally enshrined in the constitution, the education department, especially the Education (S), which is the primary body that serves as the main implementing body responsible for enacting various schemes and programmes both state and centrally sponsored, lying in a total retardation, with dirt all over its body.
Apparently the department is sinking in the quickest “quick sand”, if not rectify would jeopardize the fate of lakhs of children. At the same time, losing trust from all section.
There use to be time when outsiders, people from various corners of the country, interested in sending their wards in Manipur for education. The reputation it once enjoyed comparing to what it is today is like a distorted dream.
Leaving aside the embedded history the latest evident event was the recent resignation by a Minister from his portfolio (Education) after being allotted to him for few days. The resignation came after some days the Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) was shot inside his own office at highly secure zone. The incident ignited an implication in the mind of the general public. It is informally assumed that the chairman was not killed as an individual but killed for his chair.
Another glaring example of irregularities running inside the department was the issue of recruitment of primary teachers. The issue has led to removal of top brass of the Education (S) department officials nevertheless every now and then the issue resurfaces with some teachers claimed to have been taken part in the DPC threatening stir to declare the results. The reason behind why the Government is adamant to declare the results is also not clear enough to the general public.
The latest hot and happening that really is not relevant with the inter departmental corrupt system but countable for its disturbances giving to the functioning of Government schools jeopardizing thousands of students is the current fast unto death launched by the Council of Teachers Association (COTA) that has been going for months now.
The COTA issue despite not related to scam running under the Education Department but also needs to be addressed equally with the above mentioned implications as the issue had deprived many students of Education with regards to the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act while students who are in the private schools are having the privilege of being sitting inside the classrooms and being taught.
The point is that the education system in Manipur in any was comes under serious attack due irresponsible activities of the leaders both state and non-sate actors. What is the need of the hour is a law or act to prevent such disturbances risking the future pillars of the state what ever the challenges may, to the best interest of the society today and tomorrow. We should always remind ourselves of how sensitive Education has become in the present day.
Moreover to clean up the embedded dirt in the Department that seriously is becoming a set back for administration and stumbling block to revive the sinking department, the scams and irregularities’ case should be handed over to an independent agency like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Free from all influential hands to seriously settle the score once and for all.
Public hearing in Nungba, Officers continue to neglect
Tamenglong, February 06, 2011: As per direction of the Supreme Court of India Writ Petition public hearing was held at different place of Tamenglong district to take up grievances of public with regard to fulfillment of children's Entitlements to Education, Health, Food and Nutrition, safety and Security etc.
The last public hearing was held on 4 February 2011 at Mini Stadium in Nungba Sub- Division of Tamenglong district of Manipur with Kajaigai, SDO Nungba as chairperson.
The officers of the panelist public hearing continued to show their negligence.
Hundreds of people from different villages turn up for the public hearing and pour out their grievances however, none of the officer accepts MO of Community Health Centre, CHC Nungba and CDPO ICDS came to clarify, give their statement or suggestions.
Public hearing was organised by Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur in collaboration with Child Welfare Committee Tamenglong.
A Kameshore, DSWO Tamenglong and convener of the public hearing high light the about the public hearing and invite participants to share their grievances.
Many speakers in the public hearing speak about lack of health care centre, lack of teacher, bad infrastructure in government run school like junior high schools and high schools level, lack of connectivity and water scarcity in the respective villages.
The speakers also pointed out the empty seats of officer of panelist of the public hearing which proved of their negligence in the duty.
Jianthaipou Kamei, Khullakpa of Nungba said that all government office in Nungba were all defunct.
He urged the officers to take strong resolution from today public hearing to be stay and work for the welfare of the people.
Another speaker Agui Gangmei, Chairman of Taodaijang Village authority said that Taodaijang village has more than 130 households adding that though there were many students in the junior school but only two teachers was posted.
Poor parents are forced to send out their children in search free and better education, he said.
'If our children were also giver better health they can become IAS officers and government officers', said Agui Gangmei.
He also said that due to lack of connectivity even to their Sub- Division Nungba, sick person has to carry on make shift stretchers to reach Nungba CHC or to NH 53 and take to either Jiribam or Imphal or elsewhere looking for better treatment, he said.
He also went to mentioned that the poor cultivators in his village have to buy water pipes and connect to the streams but failed and water scarcity is also another main problem, he added.
Acham Kamei, Secretary of Khongsang Village Authority said that thought his village lies on NH 53 and Khongsang to Tamenglong road no teacher was posted in the government run school.
Poor cultivators have nothing left accept send them to Tamenglong with much difficulty, he added.
Many memorandums were served to the chairperson and organizer of the public hearing during the hearing.
Among them was Centre for Organisation Research and Education, CORE Manipur.
The CORE has submitted eight pages memorandum along with long list recommendations signed by Dr.Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, President and Namdithiu Pamei, Coordinator (Programmes) of the CORE.
The demands of the memo includes- immediate establishment of State Commission on the protection if Child rights under the provision of Protection of Child Right Act 2005 in full compliance with the directive issued by the Gauhati high court on 10 January 2011 and recommendation of NCPCR, adequate financial support by the state government to enable its full functions and ensures its impartiality.
District Child Protection Unit as envisaged under Section 62 of JJ Act 2000 to be activate in Tamenglong district within two months time by the Social Welfare Department under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, state government should ensure that the district level officials such as DC, ADM, ZEO, DPO ICDS, CEO ADC, DSWO and block level officers should visit the sub- Divisional and block frequently.
The demands also includes for establishment of Child Shelter Homes with trained and competent local and resident staff at the earliest at Tamenglong,Tousem, Tamei and Nungba, immediate rehabilitation to the rescued children from south India and provide social, educational and health security to those victim children through services of competent institutions such as the Human to Human transcultural Centre for Trauma and torture, Manipur.
It also demands for construction of sufficient hostel for boys and girls separately in Tamenglong, NUngba, Tousem and Tamei, Noney and Tengkonjang.
It also demand for provide immediate scholarship to these children under the Project ASSIST, set up Juvenile Care Centre at the Districgt HQs and all sub-divisions, setting up juvenile and anti- trafficking cells in the district police for protection and care of children.
The memo also demand immediate installation of INCERATOR at district hospital, provide blood storage facilities, and open PHSC in all sub-divisions including Kadi, Kuilong, Dikeuram, Bamgaijang, Sangrungpang, Namkaoluang (Keikao), Charoi Tupul and Taosang villages of Tamenglong district.
Further the memo demands for more specialist doctors, MOs and Nurse to all PHCs, CHCs and primary sub- centre.
Early completion of the construction and competent adequate staffing 50 beded district hospital at Tamenglong, OT building and fencing of district hospital are some of the demands points submitted by CORE Manipur.
Friday, February 4, 2011
People’s Convention on RTE held
Imphal, January 12: A one day People’s Convention on Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) was held at Yurembam High School, Yurembam, Imphal West, today. Wide Angle Social Development Organisation and Yurembam Apunba Club jointly organized the convention.
Retired Joint Director, Education (S), N. Nimai and Upa Pradhan, Yurembam Gram Panchayat, O. Sobita graced the function as the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. President YAC, Ng. Raghu presided over the function.
In the key note address, Montu Ahanthem, secretary, WASDO, highlighted the importance of education and the need to implement RTE Act in a transparent manner. He also highlighted the need for cooperation and coordination between parents and teachers for the betterment of children’s education. He further highlighted the need for School Management and Development Committee (SMDC) to exercise the power given to them to improve the education system in their localities. He also gave a brief statement about the benefits which one could get from this Act and pressed the need for setting up of state commission for protection of Child Rights and state advisory council.
K. Pradipkumar, convener MACR, highlighted a detailed road map of the Act including needs and benefits and the features of RTE, its loopholes and the role and function of the Panchayati Raj Institute under this Act. He also stressed the need for community and gender participation.
In a speech, N. Nimai stressed the need for cooperation between school, parents of the students and the local authorities. Only when the cooperation is good, the education system will improve. He said that proper and transparent implementation of the Act for the future generation is very essential.
