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.