Rights body demands State child Policy

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-19660-rights-body-demands-state-child-policy/

IMPHAL, Sep 29: citing ab-sence of a viable child Policy in the State as the main factor for minor children continuing to suffer various forms of atro-cities, Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has demanded that the Government of Manipur draft state Child Policy at the earliest.

Speaking to newspersons at Hotel Nirmala today, MACR convenor K Pradip-kumar said inspite of nume- rous reports of crime against children the perpetrators manage to either evade arrest or avoid punishment owing of absence of a legislation to protect the children as well as punish the accused persons.

Absence of such a policy is also impeding judicious im-plementation of noble educa- tional projects including Right to Education (RTE) and Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan (SSA) in the State, said Pradipkumar while explaining that some school authorities are not conforming to guidelines for universal education of the children under RTE and SSA.

While the entire country had implemented RTE consequent to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh proclaiming the Act in april 2010, there is still no sign of RTE provisions being implemented in private schools while for Government schools the benefits have been extended in a partial manner, the convenor noted.

It is said that with the exception of Tamenglong, 88 private schools in the eight remaining districts have been covered by a MACR survey conducted from September 2011.

Contrary to RTE provisions for free education of students belonging to BPL families by reserving 25 percent of seats in a school these private schools were found to be violating the RTE guidelines, he alleged.

Pradipkumar also descri-bed as unfortunate assertion by some of the private school authorities and Education Department officials that they had no idea of such provisions.

Besides BPL students RTE also has provision for free education of students affected by HIV/AIDS or are suffering from physical disabilities, he maintained while highlighting that nearly 5 lakh students of both private and Government educational institutions are being deprived of their rights.

The convenor also inform-ed that in between September 2011 till the current month, MACR has gathered report about 11 cases of rape, 38 cases related to child trafficking, murder of nine children, seven cases of injury caused by bomb blast, kidnapping and attempt to murder, besides one case of suicide and nine cases of child soldier.

Further confiding that a total of 800 children have been affected by the eviction drive against settlers of Lok-tak Lake and lives of 20 chil- dren impaired due to eviction drive at Lamphelpat Yaipha Leikai, Pradipkumar regretted that inspite of injustices against children being redressed or rehabilitated under the juvenile Justice Act 2000 in other parts of the country, the legislation remains ineffective in Manipur.

Expressing grave concern on the increasing cases of rape of the girl child, he however conveyed appreciation to authorities of Social Welfare Department for extending financial assistance of Rs 70,000 each to four children whose modesty had been outraged.

Pointing out that some victim children of other cases are being provided Rs 65 every month under the specific programme of Social Welfare Department,
Pradipkumar said the meagre amount is unjustifiable for expenditures incurred in travel is more than the amount received.

Contending that not even a single perpetrator of crime against children has been chargesheeted by the law enforcing agencies or the criminals sent to jail, the convenor strongly suggested that putting in place State Child Policy will facilitate initiation of appropriate punitive action against the criminals and consequent check crime against children.

No conviction of child rights violators

http://www.ifp.co.in/nws-9610-no-conviction-of-child-rights-violators/

IMPHAL, September 29: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights held a press conference today to disseminate the information about child rights violation cases that occurred in Manipur during the past one year i.e. from Sept 2011 to Sept 2012.

The convener of the organization, K Pradipkumar while speaking to the media persons explained that the number of cases of child rights violation in a small state like Manipur is very alarming.

He informed that the number of reported cases of child rights violation is about 895.

It should be noted here that these are reported cases which means that with non-reported cases the figure will be much higher.

The organization did the research based on child rights violation such as rape, child trafficking, murder, suicide, child soldiers, displacement and others which includes abandoned children, kidnapping attempt to murder and bomb blast injuries.

The worst part in child rights violations is the non-conviction of culprits. So far 12 culprits have been arrested but none was convicted.

Which means that these culprits will continue to commit crimes against children because they feel that they can roam about free?

Also rehabilitation of children such as in the case of child trafficking, rape, displacements is none.

The main reason that children are being trafficked is because of the non-availability of education, care and other resources which make them vulnerable to getting trafficked.

Therefore, when children are rescued and sent back to their parents if rehabilitation is not provided, there is no guarantee that the child is free from getting trafficked again.

The convener also explained that the Right to Education Act, 2009 has not been implemented in any private school in Manipur.

According to the Act, 25% of the seats should be reserved for the weaker section of the society such as socially disadvantaged children (ST/ST), parentless, HIV infected and affected children, children with special needs etc.

The organization expressed his dismay over the situation and explained that if children are in school there is less chances that they will be violated.

He further explained that there is a need for the government to start taking actions so that the children in the society will feel secured.

Steps that will empower the parents and encourage children to go to school should be taken up.

Also, police should be given sensitization and awareness workshops dealing especially in child rights violation.

Most importantly, culprits should be convicted.

895 kids victimized in one year: report

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 29 2012: In the state, a total number of 895 children were victimized by various agents during the year 2011 Sept to 25th September, 2012, a report of the Manipur Alliance for Child Right (MACR) has claimed.

Releasing the report titled, 'Child Right to Protection Scenario at a Glance' here todat, K Pradeepkumar, Convenor, MACR, said that a total number of 895 victims means that around 2 children are victimized everyday and it is alarming.

According to the report, in the past one year (September 2011 to 25th September 2012), a total of 11 rape cases, 38 child trafficking cases, 9 murder cases, 1 suicide case, 9 cases of child soldier recruitment, 820 cases of displacement, 20 eviction cases and 7 other cases were reported.

It also mentioned that 38 children were rescued from the hands of child traffickers by concerned government department and NGOs in the year.

Out of the 9 children recruited by various armed groups in the state, 4 have returned home and the other 5 still untraceable.

While a total of 12 culprits were arrested and 6 others still remain absconding.

Referring to the report, Pradeepkumar noted that under the provision of Right to Education Act-2009, 25% of the total intake capacity of the school should be reserved for children belonging to the socially disadvantage and economically weaker section of the society.

However, none of the schools in Manipur is implementing this provision and as a result, instance of child right violation cases is increasing in the state.

Moreover, there is no substantial report on Child rights violation, counseling, social reintegration, providing food & shelter, family empowerment program, and any sort of sponsored scheme for the victim children.

Instead of rehabilitating them, the government is only doing the work of restoring the victims to their families, Pradeepkumar observed.

He also suggested that preparation of a comprehensive policy including prevention, rescue and rehabilitation measures, a Standard Operating Procedure for police regarding the arrest and prosecution of culprits and a pro-active judicial procedure is needed to control child rights violation in the state.

Consultation on Right to Education held

IMPHAL, Sep 28: Lack of initiative by school autho-rities to effectively imple- ment contents of Right to Education (RTE) Act has been pointed out at a one-day State level consultation on RTE organised by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) at MFDC auditorium, Palace Compound today.

Delivering the key-note address MACR convenor K Pradipkumar alleged that almost the schools are yet to implement contents of RTE.

Informing that a specific survey was recently conducted in 88 educational institutions, comprising of eight private schools, 61 Government schools, 14 aided schools and five run by ADCs, to assess extent of RTE coverage, Pradipkumar claimed that inspite of some private school authorities informing that fee relaxation has been granted to certain section of the students there is vast variation in actual implementation of the national project.

The rate of implementation is even worst in case of Government schools, alleged the convenor who regretted that despite completing a year of RTE implementation in Manipur the benefit continues to elude the student community.

Noting that RTE was implemented belately in Manipur compared to other States embracing the project since September 2011, Pradipkumar lamented that the concept of free education enshrined in RTE remains a far-fetched dream for the student community of Manipur.

Stating that non implementation of RTE in Manipur is severely affecting education of HIV/AIDS infected children, he also informed that corporal punishment is totally prohibited under RTE.

Besides delay in implementing RTE, absence of basic facility in Government schools is compounding the problem with students suffering from physical disabilities unable to pursue their academic interest.

As mid-day meal cannot be assured to the young students on all working days there is little hope that noble projects would be implemented in a judicious manner in the State, rued the convenor while suggesting that there is need for changing the attitude of school authorities as well as concept of officials associated with implementing the schemes.

Pradipkumar further highlighted that school bags and uniforms under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) project are being denied to the students even though there is clear-cut guidelines under RTE for ensuring the students get these items.

Zonal Education Officers of some districts and sub-divisions who were present at the occasion contended that efforts are on to judiciously implement provisions of RTE to schools under their respective ambit.

Officials of SSA and Education Department, along with representatives of student bodies and civil society organisations also attended the programme.

State Commission for Child Rights a reality soon'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2012: The Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights would become a reality soon, according to Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai.

Addressing the inaugural function of district level consultative programme organised by Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal today at Indoor Stadium, College Road, Thoubal, AK Mirabai said a commission to safeguard the rights of children would be set up within a short period of time.

The Minister said altogether 305 children have been rescued from being trafficked from 2009 till the last week of this month.

She said that in order to empower rights, provide protection and rehabilitation package to the children under the Juvenile Justice Act, a commission for the protection of child rights is a must.

Mirabai also stressed on the need for maintaining coordination of all line departments like Education, health, Home, Law for ensuring full rights of the children.
The inaugural function of the programme was also graced by MLA O Landhoni and Director of Social Welfare, G Satyabati Devi as the president and guest of honour respectively.

Giving the keynote address, Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal, Mala Lisham said that understanding child rights is necessary in order to ensure the children of their rights.

As such, children must be equipped with a proper knowledge about their rights.

MLA O Landhoni said some children became victims of trafficking due to lack of measures on the part of some parents.

She urged the parents to take extra care in raising their children so that the children do not deviate from the mainstream.

G Satyabati harps on the need to maintain close coordination of concerned departments in order to ensure children of their rights.
Resource persons of the technical session, L Pishak Singh, Chairperson of CWC, Bishnupur spoke on child rights from Manipur's perspective.

He underlined that rights of children are often violated in Manipur and other conflict areas.
In order to safeguard the rights of children, all link departments should work in close tandem.

He suggested that a separate budget should be prepared by all link departments for children and to improve justice delivery system.

Rape victim tonsured and paraded in public by mob in Moirang, Manipur

By Paojel Chaoba

Manipur, IMPHAL, September 23: Leima wore a scarf to cover her tonsured head from the blazing afternoon sun as she came out to gather dried clothes hanging inside the compound of Glory Children Home located at Moirang today.

Leima (real name withheld) is about 15 years of age. She was sexually violated by a construction worker at a room inside the Indian National Army (INA) Museum complex located at Moirang bazar on September 17 afternoon.

Afterwards, the local Meira Paibis in the name of moral policing further victimized Leima by tonsuring her head and parading her as an immoral woman.

The police have registered a case in the regard (98/9/12) MPGPS. According to the investigating officer of Moirang Police Station, a mason identified as one Bhumeshwor, 38, son of Khoibi Devi, a resident of Khangabok Mayai Leikai coaxed the girl inside the INA complex and committed the act. Leima is unlike a normal teenager and she remains mentally unresponsive at times, according to report culled from police and a counselor of the Glory Children Home.

Some women who were at the nearby area had seen her going inside the complex with Bhumeshwor and suspected foul play.

They gathered other women and found them in a room. It still remains unclear to the police on how the rapist managed to flee from the scene, but the women caught hold of Leima and had tonsured her.

The rapist Bhumeshor is still absconding. Yet the Moirang Police OC claimed that they are on the trail of the rapist.

Leima was rescued by officials of the Child Welfare Committee, Bishnupur on the evening of the mentioned date. She was later taken for a medical examination at Moirang Hospital where doctors diagnosed Leima of being mentally unsound and evident of a sexual act having occurred.

Superintendent of Glory Children’s Home and chairman of Bishnupur CWC, Pishak told this reporter that Leima is being counseled at the home. However, there is a need to shift her to another institution or to the custody of a relative as her father is also mentally deranged and the present Home is only for boys.

Leima’s mother supports the family by selling betel leaves at Moirang bazaar.

“She is a juvenile and cannot be held liable for her actions. She has been victimized twice “, Pishak said. He voiced concern for such abused children.

Despite the police investigation, the act of the so-called Meira Paibis in tonsuring a girl child of unsound mind and victim of rape is yet to become a matter of public debate.

IFP spoke to some rights activists in this regard.

Former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba said, “The police should immediately take steps to arrest the rapist as well as the so called meira paibis who have tonsured the victim.

He added. “It should be borne in mind that no person can have sexual relation with a minor, there is no question of whether she was willing or not. The matter should be reported to the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission so that they can monitor the case and bring to book the guilty persons.”

Keisam Pradipkumar, Convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights and state representative of NCPCR said, “It reflects the sheer insensibility and immaturity of the so called local Meira Paibis. How could one assure justice, when you fail to distinguish the perpetrator and the victim of a crime?

He added that activists and civil society organisations should respect human rights, child rights and right to privacy of the victims. Special protection should be given to the girl children.

Secretary of Wide Angle, Montu Ahanthem also in a similar note voiced that if a child in involved in a crime then he or she should be handed over to Child Welfare Committee or the Juvenile Justice Board.

Dr L Debabrata Roy of CORE said, “The news is shocking, but not surprising! Shocking, because such kinds of crime have become a phenomenon. It reflects the total dysfunctionality of our society today. It is not surprising because the institutions and legal system have let us down again and again.“

Member of High Level Committee on the Status of Women in India, Nandini Thockchom said, “Sex with a minor is statutory rape. Period, no ifs and buts about it.”

Exploring the legal aspect, advocate I Bobby said that both the rapist and the Meira Paibees may be held liable under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000. The women can be arrested and held for a time of six month in judicial custody .The Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 also mentions that the rapist be made punishable for a term of 7 years without bail.

Seminar elucidates child rights issues

IMPHAL, August 31: A one day State Level Seminar on Child Rights Issue was held today at Hotel Nirmala, MG Avenue, Imphal organized by Centre for Social Development (CSD), Palace Compound, Imphal.

Sr. Project Manager, CSD Kh Rebati Raman in his keynote address said the rapid rise in the failure of implementation of government schemes and the issue of child rights have necessitate the seminar.

The seminar was held in two sessions.

The first session was moderated by social activist Dr Dhanabir Laishram while Dean, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, MU Prof. W Nabakumar presented paper on Present Education System and Its Reflection in the Promotion of Child Rights and Editor, The Imphal Free Press, Arun Irengbam presented on Role of Media to Ensure the Child Rights in Manipur respectively.

W Nabakumar said that the present education system including lower and higher education syllabus does not reflect any kind of laws convention in promotion and development of child right.

He said that India in theory has all the possible ways and means to support child rights but there remains a big question on how far that is true practically.

Prof. W Nabakumar lamented that the schemes like mid-day meal, inclusion of cooks and kitchens to the schools are hardly implemented in 20 schools out of 100.

He also lamented that the mid-day meal for the children are almost benefited by the officials instead.

He said that the government tries to copy models from foreign education system which bring nothing but chaos among the students in getting admission in their further studies and still fails to bring promotional and creative educational system.

He said that in India a student’s life has become an experimental subject and added that the quantity has been made more important than the quality in the present Indian education system.

The subject of Moral Science has become a mark scoring paper, he added.

Editor Imphal Free Press Arun Irengbam said that a child’s first learning place is at home and they are nurtured from home.

He added that a child cannot nurture in a domestic violence filled home and such violence instills a negative impact on the child.

He said, “Manipur is known for “Phunga Wari” where children learn from their grandparents through their stories sitting besides the fire”, and added that today the so called “Phunga” has almost vanished and hence a big learning space has faded away for the children in Manipur.

Arun Irengbam said that today’s education system in India is like making child a machine in their efforts to get maximum marks in their exams.

He expressed that the time has come to educate the children to dignify the existence of the state as the state is yet to exist in the minds and imagination of India.

He added that the recent exodus which caused displacement to many students of Manipur and the NE region shows the inhumane behavior of the mainland India towards the North Eastern states of India.

He lamented that the mainland India has failed to recognize the Mongoloid NE people.

The IFP Editor said that with the kind of exposure that the children of the state are getting today, they are aiming for power like the commandos and the UG groups. This is a serious issue, he said.

He also lamented that students today missed out from playing at the playgrounds after their school instead they are made to take tuitions.

He added that they are in the state of “All Work No Play” situation. He further added that during their adolescence period, they are blocked from growing naturally.

He said that the attraction towards opposite sex is natural but in Manipur, courtship has prohibited by certain groups which limit the children’s informal learning about their own life.

He said that it is obvious that a child’s mind is affected by the views of armed personnel who they see everywhere in the state.

He said that the media has a large role in the support of Child Rights and added the local media need to investigate about what Anganwadis are doing, where the mid-day meals are going, and if the scheme is really benefitting the targeted children? He added that to have a playground is mandatory for a school and media person can investigate for the same and how children are facilitated with medical care, in short media house need to expose those who are exploiting child rights.

Meet deliberates on issues of Child rights in Manipur

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 31 2012: Center for Social Development (CSD), Palace Compound organized a one-day state level seminar on 'Child Right's Issue in Manipur', at the conference hall of Hotel Nirmala here today.

Speaking as a resource person, Prof W Nabakumar, Dean of School of Human and Environmental Sciences, Manipur University, said that violation of child right and abusing children is inhuman and it should not be forgiven.

He observed that present education system is just a modification of the colonial educational model; and we are still implementing the 'captive style' of education system in India.

Moreover, there is no creative and innovative approach in our educational model- especially for lower classes.

In its aim to keep the future generation (Children) healthy, Government of India started the Mid-day meal scheme.

Prof W Nabakumar speaking at the seminar as Arun and Dhanabir look on

However, only 20% of the fund sanctioned for the said purpose reached the targeted children and the remaining were misused by schools and other authorities concerned.

It is a clear example of violating child right in the name of education in the country, and most of the people are staying silent, the Professor maintained.

Stating that we can only think of a developed nation only when children in the country are fully educated in a proper manner, Prof Nabakumar said that especially in the formal education system there is no reflection of child right in the textbooks.

All the syllabus and textbooks should be prepared in a palatable and easy way to perceive by the children.

Pointing out that 'learning, knowing, thinking and reasoning" are the main objectives of education, the Professor said that in Manipur the education system is just a contradiction to the objectives of education and there is no thinking and reasoning perspectives in education.

He also observed that if the teacher teaches moral science lessons only for getting high score in the examination, then the purpose of having such a curriculum will be meaningless.

Social Activist Dhanabir Laishram, who also participated in the seminar one of the resource persons, highlighted the impact of armed conflict and Armed Forces Special Power Act on children.

In the country, there are 21 armed conflict states and due to imposition of AFSPA in the disturbed areas, the Juvenile Justice Act-2000 and its institutions are not operational, he contended.

With regard to recruitment of children by underground groups in the state, Dhanabir noted that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is needed to prevent such activities.

Speaking as a subject expert in the seminar, Irengbam Arun, Editor of Imphal Free Press, said that media should be cautious at the time of reporting any violent incident so as not to have a negative impact on children.

General Secretary of Women Action for Development (WAD), who spoke on the 'Role of Civil Society Organisations to Ensure Child Rights in Manipur' said that some of the CSOs are working actively to protect the Child Right.

In the current year itself, they have enabled to rescue around 72 children from being trafficked to other states.