Manipur Alliance for Child Rights

PRESS CONFERENCE- 10th ASSEMBLY ELECTION, MANIPUR- DATED-14TH AND 15TH JANUARY, 2012

2012-01-16T00:33:00.000-08:00

Relooking the overlooked plights of children in Ukhrul

2011-12-27T00:19:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011-12-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stigma and discrimination still continue to loom large upon PLHA

2011-12-01T23:48:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World AIDS Day widely observed in state

2011-12-01T23:46:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011-11-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-30T17:27:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-19T23:07:00.000-08:00

Source- Imphal Free Press

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

RTE Act

2011-09-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

Source- Sangai express

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

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

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

Convention on RTE stresses on need of a monitorig body

2011-09-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

source- Imphal Free Press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MACR calls for sanity, lifting blockade

2011-09-26T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MACR appeals to call off blockades

2011-09-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ukhrul students deprived of provisions under Right to Education Act

2011-09-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child Rights activists call for effective RTE

2011-09-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Manipur stands against AFSPA as world remembers 9/11 tragedy

2011-09-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CRY promotes “My School Campaign”

2011-09-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

India Blooms News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Reporting by Nawaneeta Subba, photo by Tathagata Das)

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

2011-09-07T03:26:00.000-07:00

House passes a bill, directs another to Select Committee

2011-08-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NCPCR Public hearing photographs

2011-08-21T04:54:00.000-07:00

NCPCR Public Hearing held on Right to education and other child right issues on 18th August 2011

2011-08-20T02:05:00.001-07:00

By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal,August 18: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) coming hard on the Education Department of the state for violating the Right to Education Act, 2005 by compelling students to pay admission fees has directed the Education Director to take up disciplinary action against the Head Master who had done this blunder.

The directive was issued today at the final day of the two days State Level Public Hearing on Child Rights Issue held in Kangla Hall. The directive came after a case was presented before the jury by a group of students of Leela Singh Khongnangkhong High School, Imphal West where they charged the Head Master of the School for charging school admission fees and fees regarding games and sports conducted in the school. The fees varied from Rs 500 to Rs 750 according to their standard.

Prof Santha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR, said that the act of the Head master is not acceptable at all. Disciplinary action should be taken up against the Head Master and the money collected from the students should be refunded to them within a weeks time. If he cannot refund the amount before the stipulated time the government which is liable should refund the money. She further directed the ZEO, Imphal West to submit the action taken report within a week.

Gopal Dey, member of Child Relief and You (CRY), Kolkatta, who was also a jury member of the public hearing, reacting to the case said that these things cannot be taken lightly because even government officials who are suppose to implement the RTE Act are involve in the act. A Grievance Redressal Forum needs to be established at the district level and the officials of Education department should also be given classes regarding RTE Act.

Sharing before the jury, students of Shirui Junior High School, Ukhrul said that the school charges fees for games and sports from them. The ZEO, Ukhrul clarified the charges made by the students on the ground that the money was collected with the consent of their parents.

Reacting sharply to the clarification given by the ZEO, justifying the collection of fees, Chairperson, NCPCR, lambasted to the ZEO saying that "you cannot come here with a report that their parents have consented". This does not justify anything. When a government official violates the RTE Act, it is not acceptable. She further directed the Education Director to organize orientation programmes for Education Officers and stressed on the point that all trainings of teachers whatsoever should be done during vacations.

Regarding another case of a landmine victim boy, the Commission has directed the Social Welfare department to give a full report of the incident so that it can pressure the government to give compensation either from the Chief Minister's Relief fund or the MLA's relief fund. She also said the issue will also be taken up in Delhi.

Ranjita (name changed) a student of Ething Primary School while deposing her case before the jury said that there are around 62 students in this school but only one teacher. He comes to school only seven days in a month, that also fully drunk.

Instead of teaching the students he misbehaved with the students. As such the students including her are reluctant to go to school.

Prof Sinha directed the education department to report to the Commission on the recruitment of teachers in the school within a month.

She also directed the department concern to ensure user friendly toilet, escort allowances and medical treatments for the physically challenge students and report to NCPCR.

NCPCR Public Hearing held on HIV/AIDS on 17th August 2011

2011-08-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

Panel balm for people infected with HIV

KHELEN THOKCHOM- source- Telegraph

• Ten-year-old Ibemma Devi (named changed), an HIV patient, studies in Class I, her progress stunted by frequent illness

• Matouleibi Devi (name changed), an HIV-positive widow living with her infected son, fights social stigma in addition to the immunity-shattering virus

• Nganbi Devi, a teenager, is treated badly whenever she goes for anti-retroviral therapy and medical advice at a government hospital

Imphal, Aug. 17: For the first time since the deadly HIV was detected in her blood, Matouleibi Devi got a willing ear today to listen to her anguish.

The widow and her son, along with several others like her, lodged complaints of neglect at a two-day public hearing for children affected by HIV/AIDS organised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the auditorium of Kangla fort of Imphal city today.

The panel, comprising the commission’s chairperson, Shanthi Sinha, member Deepa Dixit and S.D. Dey from CRY, promised the complainants food, education and healthcare.

The commission “settled” the petitions by directing government officials from the social welfare department, education department and deputy commissioners present during the hearing to look into the demands.

Most of the complaints were similar.

They did not get the government’s help as they were not aware of the benefits.

“I stopped going to government hospitals because the doctors and nurses did not treat me and my children properly,” said Thoibi Devi (name changed).

Sinha directed the officials to bring them under social welfare schemes like widow pension, loans and provide them other forms of financial assistance.

She asked education director W. Rajen, who was present at the meeting, to go to Ibemma Devi’s school, talk to the school’s head and arrange for special coaching so that she can be in the right class.

The official also asked the project director of Manipur AIDS Control Society, Ashok Kumar, to institute an inquiry into the denial of treatment of HIV-positive people at hospitals.

She directed the education director to waive examination fees of an HIV-positive boy, who could not appear for the matriculation examination for his inability to pay the required fees.

“The commission has indeed come as a blessing for us and we are looking forward to better support from the government,” an HIV-positive widow said.

Headlines

NCPCR directs state govt to resolve child related cases

IMPHAL August 17: “There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it”, said prof. Shantha Sinha, chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) during the first day of the two day State Level Public Hearing on children affected by HIV / AIDS and Drug Abuse and RTE, child trafficking and other child issue, starting today at Kangla conference hall, Kangla Fort, Imphal.

After deliberate discussions on numerous cases related to the issue, the NCPCR has today directed the state government to resolve the cases which were deliberated upon today within a definite time frame according to their individual needs. 23 cases related to children affected by HIV / AIDS and Drug Abuse and RTE, child trafficking and other child issue were heard during the first days’ sitting today. The public hearing event will continue till tomorrow.

The commission asserted during the later part of the proceeding that, a monitoring committee should be formed comprising of representatives of NGOs from the state to look after the proceedings of the work implementation in solving the cases by the state government and its related departments.

The complainants who mostly comprised of orphans whose parent have succumbed to HIV/SIDS, deposed before the jury narrating their deprivations, discriminations and stigmatism faced on a daily basis in the society.

Among the cases that were heard today, the juries observed that several of them are deemed necessary for long-term policies to resolve their grievances. In this connection, the commission asserted that recommendations would be made to the Central and State government to form a new long-term policy for this purpose.

The prof Shantha Sinha led NCPCR team also include Dipa Dixit, member, NCPCR and Satya Gopal Dey (Child Rights and You -Kolkatta).

G. Satyabati Devi, director, social welfare department, Ashok Kumar, project director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS), W. Rajen Singh, director, department of education (s), R.K. Dinesh. D.C, Thoubal, was among several officials representing social welfare department, MACS and department of education (S) as summoned by the commission.

Reacting on a case presented before the jury, Prof. Shantha urged the government departments concerned to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity.

“It is for the government to come up with a care plan for this young girl. She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights”. She made these observations after Seema (name changed) deposed her case before the commission. Seema’s grandfather, who deposed along with her today, lost his son and daughter-in-law to AIDS leaving behind Seema in his care. The commission demanded a plan for Seema and report from the departments concerned after three months from now.” Tell me after three months how her health, height and weight has improved” she stated.

Sharing before the jury, Rani (name changed), a widow and living with HIV, said that her meager income is unable to meet her son’s expenses. There have been attempts by her in–laws to drive her out of her husband’s residence.

“I earn around Rs 1500 to 2000 per month reeling silk, but it is barely enough to take care of my medical expenses and my son’s education. I have heard of schemes but don’t know the details and have never applied for any”, Rani narrated her grievances before the jury. Rani lost her husband when his son, now nine, was around five years old. A large part of her son’s education is being supported by CRS. Rani is worried that she won’t be able to support his education after the CRS Project ends.

The commission further directed all district commissioners to gather data on the number of Children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their conditions. Underlining lack of awareness among the people of the existing government schemes in the state, Prof. Shantha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to come to them.

Highlighting issues of children in the state, L. Deepak, president, Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), said “we haven’t been heard for so many years. Such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us”. Appreciating NCPCR’s initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government – NGO partnerships and improving service delivery.

Stressing on the issue of discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, prof. Shantha urged Ashok Kumar, project director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society, to look into the matter.

Lucy (name changed) was allegedly ill treated and neglected during the delivery of her last child at RIMS. In another case in 2009 her HIV positive son was reportedly denied treatment of a tooth condition by the same hospital on flimsy grounds. She narrated that one of the official of the hospital had informed her that the equipments had to be cleaned and had to wait for some days. She further added that at other times she was told that the person in-charged of her case had not arrived yet.

Speaking at the occasion Y. Shashikanta Singh, convener, Drugs and HIV/AIDS workers, said that such public hearings are important.

NCPCR directs state govt to address issues of children infected and affected by HIV & AIDS

2011-08-18 / 05:43:35

By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 17: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Government of Manipur to conduct district-level public hearings so that issues related to children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS can be identified and addressed.

The directive was issued to the Government of Manipur on the first day of the two-day state-level public hearing, today in Kangla hall, Imphal. The public hearing is being organized by NCPCR in coordination with Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers Manipur, a body comprising of NGOs, HIV positive and drug users’ networks in Manipur.

G Satyabati, Director, Social Welfare Department, Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS, W Rajen, Director, Department of Education (S), RK Dinesh, DC, Thoubal, was among several officials representing Social Welfare Department, MACS and Department of Education (S) were summoned by the commission.

“There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it”, said Professor Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR.

Reacting to a case presented before the jury, Prof Sinha urged government departments to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity. “It is for the government to come up with a care plan for young girl. She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights”. She made these observations after Shanti (name changed) deposed her case before the commission. Shanti’s grandfather, who also deposed along with her, lost his son and daughter-in-law due to AIDS. The commission demanded a plan for Shanti and a report from concerned departments after three months from now.

Altogether 23 infected and affected children, a number of them orphans, deposed before the commission. The commission directed Deputy Commissioners to gather data on children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their condition. Underlining lack of awareness of existing government schemes in the state Prof Sinha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to access schemes.

L Deepak, President, MNP+ said , such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us”. Appreciating NCPCR’s initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government-NGO partnership and improving service delivery.

Prof Sinha gives varous suggestions to Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS. Y Shasikumar Singh, Convenor, Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers, appreciated the initiative taken by the NCPCR for the cause of children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the country. The hearing will continue tomorrow at the same venue.

State level public hearing on child rights begins
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 17 2011: Under the joint aegis of Ministry of women and Child Development's National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State's Social Welfare department, Education Department and Manipur state AIDS Control society (MACS) a two-day State level 'public hearing on child rights issues' commenced from today at Kangla Hall.

As a Jury Panel on the first day of the hearing, NCPCR Chairperson Prof Shantha Singha said the hearing is being conducted to study issues related to children affected by HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, their right to education, cases of child trafficking and others in order to effectively address the grievances.

Conveying that problems being endured by the children would be recorded and intimated to the Government of Manipur in order to find a solution, Prof Shantha also asked Social Welfare Department officials to prepare and furnish a detailed account of complaints/grievances filed by children or women victims within a month.

the said Department has also been entrusted to furnish reports with regard to welfare programmes implemented or assistance provided to the children for every three months.

The Chairperson further announced that, if needed, services of legal practitioners would be roped in to address related issues.

Many parents who attended the public hearing complained to the Jury Panel members regarding callousness of some medical personnel on HIV/AIDS affected children with the contention that apart from providing medicines counselling service is a rarity.

Issues ranging from financial problem impeding proper treatment or education of the young children, discrimination to denial of food items under PDS were also highlighted during the hearing.

NCPCR directs state govt to address issues of children infected and affected by HIV & AIDS
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 17 2011:The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has directed the Government of Manipur to conduct district-level public hearings so that issues related to children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS can be identified and addressed.

The directive was issued to the Government of Manipur on the first day of the two-day state-level public hearing, today in Kangla hall, Imphal.

The public hearing is being organized by NCPCR in coordination with Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers Manipur, a body comprising of NGOs, HIV positive and drug users' networks in Manipur.

G Satyabati, Director, Social Welfare Department, Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS, W Rajen, Director, Department of Education (S), RK Dinesh, DC, Thoubal, was among several officials representing Social Welfare Department, MACS and Department of Education (S) were summoned by the commission.

"There are no issues which cannot be resolved, what we need is coordination and sincerity to address it", said Professor Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR.

Reacting to a case presented before the jury, Prof Sinha urged government departments to come up with strategies on how best a child can be made to live with dignity.

"It is for the government to come up with a care plan for young girl.

She has challenged you and our capacities to address her rights".

She made these observations after Shanti (name changed) deposed her case before the commission.

Shanti's grandfather, who also deposed along with her, lost his son and daughter-in-law due to AIDS.

The commission demanded a plan for Shanti and a report from concerned departments after three months from now.

Altogether 23 infected and affected children, a number of them orphans, deposed before the commission.

The commission directed Deputy Commissioners to gather data on children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in their respective districts and review their condition.

Underlining lack of awareness of existing government schemes in the state Prof Sinha urged officials concerned to reach out rather than wait for people to access schemes.

L Deepak, President, MNP+ said , such hearing will make government departments take notice of issues confronting us".

Appreciating NCPCR's initiative he said it will go a long way in forging government-NGO partnership and improving service delivery.

Prof Sinha gives varous suggestions to Ashok Kumar, Project Director, MACS.

Y Shasikumar Singh, Convenor, Drugs and HIV/AIDS Workers, appreciated the initiative taken by the NCPCR for the cause of children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the country.

The hearing will continue tomorrow at the same venue.

Government Officials responding to NCPCR

2011-08-20T01:38:00.000-07:00

NCPCR Public hearing held at 29th and 30th August, 2011

2011-08-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

State level MACR Cultural Meet held on 30th August 2011

2011-08-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

Children’s meet held

2011-07-31T00:15:00.000-07:00

IMPHAL, July 30: A one-day state level children’s cultural meet was organized by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) under the theme “Understand, Nurture and Ensure the Joyful Childhood” today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Lampak, Imphal.

The cultural meet was attended by Dr Ng Bijoy, Khurai MLA, and K Sanatomba, joint director of social welfare department as the chief guest and president respectively.

About 400 chidren from different districts of the state participated in the cultural meet. The main objective of the meet is to give a cultural space to the chidren to showcase their innate and hidden talents. It also envisages promoting the communal harmony and emotional integrity through cultural exchange amongst different ethnic communities of the state.

Children's Cultural Meet held

2011-07-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 30 2011: Calls for religiously safeguarding rights of the children and protecting them from violent events marked the Children's Cultural Meet 2011 held today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound under the aegis of Manipur Alliance for Child Right (MACR), Maringlane New Checkon.

Presenting the key-note address MACR convenor K Pradipkumar said every responsible citizen needs to understand rights of the children to prevent exploitation of the young ones by unscrupulous elements of the society.

Reminding that children are the future of the society and they need to be guided in a proper way, he also urged every responsible citizen to contribute their mite in checking the menace of child trafficking and exploitation of children as child labourers or engaging them in hazardous jobs.

Pradipkumar also lamented that many children have been made victims of HIV/AIDS for no fault of theirs and dragged into the quagmire of ongoing armed conflict in the State.

The convenor also stressed on the need for proper counselling of victim children to facilitate them overcome horrendous experiences they were exposed to.

As chief guest of the Meet, Khurai AC MLA Dr Ng Bijoy said every effort should be made to shield the young children from the negative impact of socio-environmental changes which can be achieved only through all round development of Manipur.

Pointing out that children need careful nurturing from the initial stage of conceiving, he cautioned that children cannot be expected to become a responsible citizen of the future if there is absence of cordiality between the parents or brought up in an environment of disputes and chaos.

In addition to strongly advocating framing of a counselling policy by the Government for children who have suffered from violent experiences, the MLA further suggested that education of the children should be based on their liking and interest rather than force them to follow wishes of the parents.

Joint Director of Social Welfare Department K Sanajaoba, who also spoke at the occasion, contended that efforts are being made to work out an effective development programme for the young children.

Children cultural troupes from various districts presented a number of cultural and traditional items in addition to showcasing their talent through staging of entertainment programmes such as dance, recitation, stage plays and fashion parade.

Manipur Alliance for Child Rights submit memorandum

2011-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

7 hours, 38 minutes, 7 seconds ago

IMPHAL May 26: With the recurrence of various heinous crimes against innocent children besides the enduring onslaught of certain grave issues like HIV /AIDS pandemic, armed conflict and child trafficking, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights has submitted a memorandum to a visiting team of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to draw attention into certain core issues affecting lives of children at the most such as RTE, HIV/ AIDS issues, juvenile/ criminal justice, child trafficking, drugs and children with disabilities, seeking immediate attention to monitor and give necessary recommendation in order to safeguard and protect the right to life, right to protect and development of the marginalized children on May 24. MACR has urged the NCPCR to inquire into the failure of timely publication and distribution of various text books prescribed by Board of secondary Education Manipur, which has become a regular feature for the last many years, largely affecting the academic career of several lakhs of students in the state and also urged to monitor directly and recommend to the state on the major failure in the implementation of Right to Education Act in Manipur. The memorandum of the MACR furhter stated that children affected and inflicted by HIV/ AIDS who are one of the children belonging to socially disadvantaged category are not getting free education at neighborhood schools under the 25% reservation scheme. It further stated that a recent survey conducted by MACR and various news reports testify the facts. The memorandum has further stated that the state government / RTE implementing Authority did not take up punitive action for non compliance of RTE’s provisions and standard norms by the private unaided schools, schools under special category. Even government run schools and schools run by district autonomous council in hill districts do not comply with the provisions of the RTE Act by charging admission and school fees, it maintained. It also appealed the NSCPC to recommend strongly to the Manipur Government to procure and install PCR testing facilities in the public hospitals of the state to ensure early detection of HIV infection amongst the vulnerable children and easy availability of ART facilities in CLHAS. MACR also urged the NSCPC to recommend the state government for introduction of sponsorship and welfare programme for CLHAS. Heinous crimes against the innocent children are alarmingly increasing where culprits of such crimes including murder of children after kidnapping and raping are remained scot free. The latest mysterious incident of murdering of Thiyam Ton alias Roberoy, 4, of Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou ward no. 4 of Bishnupur district prove the total failure of criminal justice system and juvenile justice system and collapsing of social safety net for children in the society. Many children who have been trafficked from Manipur under the pretext of providing free education, shelter and jobs were still remained without trace in various outside states such as Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Gao, Bangalore (Karnataka) , etc. same criminals involved in previous child trafficking cases managed to get bail very easily and they continue to involve in other similar crimes and again. In this connection the MACR urged the NCPCR to recommend the concerned state government (s) to activate the criminal justice system and probe the trafficking cases effectively and award rigorous punishment to the culprits.

The memorandum has also appealed for recommendation for introduction of an effective national/state legislation to combat human and children trafficking in the state and also for comprehensive state policy for preventive, rescue and rehabilitation planning for children trafficking victims in the state. It also appealed to recommend the state government/ central government for necessary arrangement to include the victims of trafficking and orphaned children whose parents have been killed by security forces or police, to be the eligible beneficiaries of “Assist Scheme” being undertaken by National Foundation for Communal Harmony. The organization has further urged the NCPCR to recommend the state and concerned ministry for opening separate Drug Rehabilitation centre for juveniles, since the state has only adult based rehab centers, where special facilities for children such as counseling are not available and recommend the state to provide child care facilities to the existing female de-addiction centers in Manipur. Further more, the organization asked the NCPCR to take necessary steps and recommendation to the concerned ministry and state department to ensure complete implementation of ICPS, and regular fund flow to destitute children homes in the state by releasing the fund on quarterly basis. And lastly, MACR appealed that the NCPCR to recommend the state and concerned ministry to open up Community based rehabilitation services for children with disabilities with provision of education, health care, livelihood skills training.

Visiting NCPCR team's attention drawn to plight of children

2011-05-27T08:16:00.000-07:00

2011-05-26 / 04:35:35

By Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 25: The plight of the children of Manipur have become worse with the occurrence of various heinous crimes against innocent children besides the enduring onslaught of certain grave issues like the pandemic HIV/AIDS, armed conflict and child trafficking, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has asserted in a memorandum to the visiting team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), New Delhi.

The alliance submitted the memorandum to the NCPCR team which is camping in Imphal since yesterday to study the issues being confronted by the children in the trouble torn state of Manipur.

The team led by Dipa Dixit, member NCPCR, comprises of BK Sahu, registrar, Sanjoy Kumar Tiwari and Ramnath Nayak, senior consultants of the commission. They arrived here yesterday and will stay till tomorrow, May 26.

In the memorandum, the MACR drew the attention of the NCPCR into certain care issues affecting the lives of children at the most, such as RTE (Right to Education), HIV/AIDS issues, juvenile/criminal justice system, child trafficking, drugs and children with disabilities.

They seek immediate attention to monitor and give necessary recommendations in order to safeguard and protect the right to life, right to protect and development of marginalized children.

Putting up the issues related with the RTE, the alliance alleged that the failure of timely publication and distribution of various text book prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur has affected the academic career of lakhs of students in the state.

As in previous years, this year too, the state government could not provide text books in time even though months have passed after the school session started. The government has responded weakly only after witnessing violent protest from student’s bodies, the alliance informed NCPCR and urged the visiting team to give a strong directive to the government not to repeat its failure in future.

Children belonging to socially disadvantaged categories and affected and infected by HIV/AIDS are not getting free education at neighbourhood schools under the mandatory 25% reservation policy. A recent survey conducted by MACR and various news reports have testified the fact.

The state government/RTE implementing authority has not taken up punitive action for non-compliance of RTE’s provisions and standard norms by private unaided schools, aided schools and schools under special category.

Even government run schools and schools run by the district autonomous councils in hill districts do not comply with the provisions of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the memorandum went on to point out.

The memorandum further mentions the plight of children living with HIV/AIDS, on criminal justice system relating to crimes against children and also on child trafficking and urged the NCPCR to press the state government to expedite the process for setting up of a state commission for protection of child rights.

They also informed the NCPCR that many children who have been trafficked from the state under the pretext of providing free education, shelter and jobs still remained untraced in various places outside the state such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bangalore, etc.

Some criminals involved in previous child trafficking cases managed to get bail very easily and they continue to be involved in other crimes, the MACR stated in the memorandum.

Memo submitted

2011-05-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

IMPHAL, May 25: Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) submitted a memorandum to National Commi- ssion for Protection of Child Rights (NPCR) highlighting various issues related to children of Manipur who are the victims of HIV/AIDS, drugs, child trafficking and armed conflict etc.

The memorandum was submitted to a visiting team of NCPR to the State yesterday.

The representation complained that HIV infected/affected children are not getting free education at neighbourhood schools under 25 percent scheme of the Government.

It also requested the NCPR to strongly recommend the State Government to install PCR testing facilities at public hospitals of the State to ensure early detection of HIV infection amongst the vulnerable children and easy availability of ART facilities to the CLHAs.

It also pleaded to direct the State Government to provide extra nutritional support to CLHAs under ICDS project.

The representation also informed the NCPR that heinous crimes against innocent children including child trafficking are increasing alarmingly in the State while culprits, in most cases, remain scot free.

It also urged to direct the Government to make the victims of child trafficking and orphans whose parents have been killed by security forces be eligible for Assist Scheme under National Foundation for Communal Harmony.

The memorandum pleaded the NCPR to ensure complete implementation of ICPS and regular fund flow to destitute children homes in the State by releasing the fund on quarterly basis.

With regards to disable children, MCPR urged to open community based rehabilitation services with provisions to education, health care and livelihood skills training.

RTE: winds of change or a passing breeze?

2011-03-21T02:49:00.000-07:00

Published on March 7, 2011 in Footnotes from a Diary

By: Chitra Ahanthem
The topic of education in Manipur has various layers of complexities considering the way all educational institutions gets affected by the cycle of bandhs, curfews, school closures etc. On one hand is the apathy that exists in Government schools where teachers hanker after increase in their salary structures while on the other hand we have private schools mushrooming around us. The irony lies in the fact that teachers in the private sector are grossly underpaid, and work over time while the standard of education in Government schools is such that parents who teach in Government schools actually send their children to the private run schools! Yet, every private school is not the answer to putting in value in education. There have been many cases where schools have been set up and vanish within less than a year; of schools running without any recognition and flouting norms etc.

Yet, with school academic sessions just around the corner, most parents who are looking towards the school admissions of their children would be busy keeping a watch on admission norms and procedures. Schools on their part, but specifically private run institutions are busy running advertisements in various media forms to hold the attention of the parents. It has long been a norm for young children to be submitted to entrance level examinations. But post April 1, 2010 it may not be the same anymore for private schools.

April 1, 2010 was when the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE), came into effect after it was passed by the Indian parliament on 4 August 2009. The Act provides for free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India. It has its share of social protection for children of weaker sections and those with special needs with the Act specifying that the State must even provide for transportation support for such children. One interesting feature is the specification that every school must have a school management committee in place that is to be comprised of parents (75%) and the remaining being teachers, community leaders, education experts etc. The Act also puts the impetus on the state to ensure that parents send their children, which is obviously aimed at keeping children who do labour. To do this, the Act specifies that no extra fees will be taken from children in schools as capitation charges (exam fees, laboratory fees and others).
In the context of Manipur where academic sessions are affected by the regular cycle of bandhs, strikes, curfews and school shutdowns thanks to the fragile law and order situation in the state, parents and guardians have looked at the easy way out by encouraging private classes, also known as “tutions”. The RTE Act bans teachers working in government or private elementary schools are banned from taking private classes. But mostly, while Government schools looks set to have their infrastructure resources being upgraded it is the private schools that will have their wings clipped. They can no longer subject a child to tests or interviews for admissions, which will now have to be based on random selection.

The RTE provisions cover quite a lot of ground and one column will not suffice to cover every bit of it. For now though, we can begin by looking at the Manipur context of how the Act needs to be implemented and ensured. The first mandate for the State Government would be to get on board the various Student groups and civil society organizations as stakeholders towards ensuring the right to education. Unless there is a consensus that education be left out of the sphere of disturbances that happen in the state, the Act will not really transfer into anything of value. Schools and school students have borne the brunt of various political agitations in the state so far every year. The 3 month long shut down of schools in 2009 is a case in point here.
An important inclusion of the Act is the ban on corporal punishment in schools and that students cannot be detained or expelled. But what of violence among students? I will make my point by illustrating with the example of a private school in Manipur, (the school will not be named) which has parents as the main stakeholders and part of the management board. This example will reflect what can well happen in every school when School Management Committees with parents as main stakeholders come into effect: a student beat up another student to the point that the second student suffered from concussions and a broken nose. The child who was involved in the beating had been implicated in other acts of violence against other students in the past and the school head decided on expulsion. The school managing board did not allow this to happen and the head of the school resigned followed by other teachers.

The question here is not whether the school head should have expelled the child in the first place but what the school board was doing when the earlier cases of student violence had been reported. Would teachers have to pay every time such cases came to light? Just as every child has a right to free education, every student has the right to being in a safe environment in school. Unless there is strong support system of trained counsellors at schools to look into matters of student violence and other juvenile behaviour, keeping a rein on disciplinary action may affect the morale among teachers.

End-point:
Education is a huge investment for the future and all stakeholders have to ensure that the opportunities that the RTE gives to the citizens of the country, but specially its young citizens are properly channelized. Having said that, the gaps in the Act and its application to the local context of Manipur need to be looked at thoroughly

A children home sans children

2011-03-21T02:39:00.000-07:00

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 17 2011: Apart from lack of basic infrastructures, no inmates were found in a Children Home being run with grant-in-aid from the State Govt in Chandel district of Manipur.

Yet, the Destitute Children Home at Liwachaning village of Chandel district has been receiving grant-in-aid from the State Govt till 2009-2010 .

For 2010-2011, the said Children Home has not received the grant-in-aid just like other nine Children Home in the State which are being run with financial assistance from the State Govt as the Govt has not yet released the grant.

For ensuring the rights of destitute children, the General Assembly of United Nations had adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on November 30, 1989 .

In accordance to CRC, every child, whether destitute or otherwise, should be entitled to the rights for survival, development, protection and participation.

However, in Manipur, it is altogether a different story.

Even though grant-in-aid are being provided to run Children Homes for the protection of destitute children, the related authorities of the Dept concerned has not been paying adequate attention to the requirement of such Children Homes or taking up necessary action to fix responsibility if such Children Homes were found not operating properly.

On the other hand, there is also lack of sincerity on the part of the NGOs running such Children Homes, thereby depriving the rights of the destitute children.

What more could be said, there are NGOs which are running such Children Homes just to mint money all in the name of protecting the rights of destitute children.

Accompanied by a media team, officials of Coalition on Children's Rights to Protection (CCRP) today conducted an inspection at the Destitute Children Home located at Liwachaning village of Chandel district and found no inmate in it.

The said Children Home has the capacity of housing 25 inmates and the State Government has been providing grant-in-aid for running the Home every year.

Set up in 1975, the media team learnt that the Children Home at Liwachaning is being run by Liwachaning Women Society and it started receiving grant-in-aid from the State Government since 1978 .

Consequently, the Government gave its recognition to the Children Home in 2009 under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.Under the provisions of this Act, the inmates are supposed to be given access to education, vocational training, health care and treatment and other necessary development and rehabilitation measures.

From the side of the said Children Home, it was also learnt that a proposal had been submitted sometime earlier to the Government for increasing the intake capacity from the present 25 to 50 children.

However, when the inspection team visited the Children Home today, no inmates could be found and the building was in dilapidated condition.

There was also no fending around the campus nor reading room, toilet and facilities for drinking water and electricity.

Yet, one Superintendent, one Case worker, one Home Mother, one Cook, one Chowkidar and one Counsellor have been appointed on the pay roll of the Children Home.

Nonetheless, secretary of the Destitute Children Home TS Morison asserted that following the failure of the Government to release fund for 2010-2011, the Liwachaning Women Society has been finding lot of difficulties in running the Children Home.

So, the members of the Society decided to give shelter to the inmates in their respective private homes.

The Society has in all 14 members.

The inmates would be brought back and the Children Home would resume operation on receiving the pending grant, Morison said.

Interacting with the inspection team, Member secretary of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Chandel Moses Maring informed that since the establishment of Chandel unit of CWC two inspections have been conducted at the Destitute Children Home at Liwachaning and the reports submitted to the Department concerned.

Moreover, taking into consideration of lack of necessary infrastructures and trust, nine inmates from the Children Home at Liwachaning have been shifted to a Children Home in Thoubal district without the help of CWC, Chandel, Moses Maring disclosed.

Press Coverage on Right To education- Poster Campaign

2011-03-12T18:23:00.000-08:00

Power section served notice

2011-02-13T19:11:00.000-08:00

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.

“Leima lost her smile”

2011-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

Posted by kanglaonline on February 9, 2011 in Top Stories 1 Comment

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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 dayâ€™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 , â€œWhy did you put the photo of your daughter in the newspaper.â€ 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.
â€œWe 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.
Leimaâ€™s mother Khomdonbi on her part stated that , she sold her late husbandâ€™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. â€œ They power drive officials canâ€™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. â€œI am going to take legal action and wonâ€™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 victimâ€™s family and have started the fact finding process. â€œ 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. â€œ 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 , â€œEven taking photographs of disabled persons is not allowed without the consent of the person or guardiansâ€,she said.
The Yaiskul Volunteersâ€™ 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 â€œIt 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 anybodyâ€™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

Editorial – Education Department of Manipur needs a serious cleaning

2011-02-07T04:30:00.000-08:00

Posted by kairnews on February 5, 2011 in Editorial 0 Comment

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

2011-02-07T04:10:00.000-08:00

Source: Hueiyen News Service

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.

People’s Convention on RTE held

2011-02-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

By Hueiyen News Service

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.

Govt must intervene in students harassment cases in JNVs :CCRP

2011-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 28 2010: The Coalition on Children's Right to Protection (CCRP), Manipur on Tuesday requested Manipur Chief Minister for his immediate intervention in delivering justice to recent incidents occurred in two Jawahar Novodaya Vidyalaya (JNVs) in the state.

On November 29, 2010, Chingakham Brington Singh (17), a student of class-XII at Thoubal district JNV, Umathel committed suicide after he was alleged of having been caught in a compromising position with Kshetrimayum Ghanapriyari Devi, a girl student of the same class.

A week later, another case of police brutality involving Khumbong JNV students of XI and XII surfaced on December 5.The students were allegedly caned by the police in the school campus.

The incidents tantamount to child right violations, the CCRP alleged in a memorandum submitted to the Manipur Chief Minister seeking government intervention into the incidents.

Based on the report of a fact finding team, the CCRP alleged that Brington committed suicide unable to bear with the humiliation and mental harassment meted out by the authority of the school.

The girl student, Ghanapriyari is also in a mental trauma humiliated by the school authorities, the report added.

The finding suggested that there were no intimate relationships between the two students but that a teacher, Chongtham Babita had misinterpreted the situation.

Brington who could not bear the humiliation meted out to him in presence of his classmates and the staff of the school, committed suicide on the same day at a hillock in his village, the fact finding report stated.

With regard to police brutality at JNV Khumbong, the fact finding report observed that the school authority unable to resolve a dispute among the senior students led to the students rampaging the school's infrastructure in the night on December 5 .

The CCRP observed that the way the school authorities handled the cases were irresponsible.

Since the school authorities failed to verify the facts of the incidents with eyewitness explanations from the two students of JNV Umathel, they are responsible above all for the suicide of the humiliated student.

In the case of JNV Khumbong, instead of conducting a proper enquiry into the incident, the police physically and mentally harassed the students of JNV Khumbong.

The CCRP says these are vivid examples of child rights violations in the two schools.

The dignity and self respect of the students were seriously demeaned by the attitudes of the school authorities and the state police, they observed, and stressed on the need of an immediate intervention of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, New Delhi.

Manipur Govt. directed to set up Child Rights Commission

2011-01-16T07:04:00.000-08:00

15.01.2011 21:10 Imphal Brozendra Ningomba

A division bench of Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench comprising Chief Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur and Justice Asok Potsangbam has issued a directive to the Government of Manipur to set up a State Commission for Protection of Child Rights under the provisions of Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 within a period of 10 months from the day the directive was issued, and in any case, on or before 31.12.2011. The High Court issued the directive on January 10 after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kumarjit Singh (37), a resident of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai in Imphal West district. The High Court noted that the only prayer in the petition was for a direction to the respondents to set up a State Commission under the provisions of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. Since the law requires the setting up of a State Commission, the High Court directed the state government to do the needful within the stipulated period, and the writ petition was disposed of. Meanwhile, Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh has sent letters to the respondents to take up appropriate action to establish the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights in compliance with the judgment and order passed by the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench. Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh represented the petitioner while Senior Government Advocate Th. Ibohal represented the respondent Commissioner, Social Welfare, Government of Manipur, Director, Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur and Secretary, Law & Legislative Affairs, Government of Manipur.

2010 saw highest number of child trafficking cases in Manipur

2011-01-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

Posted by kanglaonline on January 8, 2011 in News, Top Stories 0 Comment

By Hrishikesh Angom
IMPHAL, Jan 8: The highest number of child-trafficking cases in Manipur was recorded in 2010 last year with as many as 139 children from the state found trafficked to other states in the name of giving free education and jobs.
There were cases of 97 trafficked children in 2009, 22 children in 2008 and only five children in 2007.
In the month of January, 2010, 54 boys from Tousem sub-division in Tamenglong district were found trafficked to Tamil Nadu and later rescued by the volunteers of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Tirunelveli from a children home run by one Roman Catholic Missionary, Immanuel Christopher.
The boys were admitted to the children home through one local agent, N. Paul from Tamenglong who had taken Rs 6000 to Rs 7000 from each child with the false promise of giving free education. The boys were kept in miserable conditions with no proper food and education at the children home. They were also harassed both mentally and physically by the warden of the home. The culprit Immanuel has been jailed but the local agent Paul is still absconding.
Another 17 children including eight boys and nine girls from Bishnupur were rescued from Ritz Children Home, Chennai in January. The children were reportedly trafficked to Chennai through local agents, namely Samom Herojit and Keisham Rakesh after taking Rs 10,000 from each child. The girls were sexually harassed at the chidren home.
There was also another case in January, last year in which a 17-year old girl was reportedly trafficked to Tamil Nadu by four women, namely Thangjam Purnima, Salisa, Khuraijam Taruni and Leishangthem Sanarei in the name of giving vocational education. Later, the girl was rescued and the culprits were detained under National Security Act (NSA).
In the month of February, 2010, three children including two boys and one girl were trafficked to Chenna and later a combined team of CWC, Chennai and CWC, Bishnupur rescued the children from Ritz Children Home, Chennai. The trafficked children were found in a deplorable condition with clear signs of torture and harassment. The local agent in this case was Miss D. Lotus from Chandel.
In the month of April, 2010, 27 children including 18 girls and nine boys from Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur were reportedly trafficked to Tamil Nadu by one Henry Ostrin and later rescued by the officials of Social Welfare Department and Child Line Imphal.
In the same month, one girl was reportedly trafficked to Chennai as domestic helper by one Angoubi from Lamsang.
In the month of May, 2010, three boys from Sekta and Keinou were intercepted by CWC Imphal East and Bishnupur at Imphal Tulihal Airport while they were being trafficked to Guwahati by two women in the name of offering jobs.
In the month of June, 2010, 12 children including nine boys and three girls were trafficked to Tamil Nadu.
In the month of July, 2010, 12 children from Bishnupur were trafficked to Chennai by one Herojit from Ithing.
Another one girl from Bishnupur was trafficked to Kolkatta as domestic worker.
In the month of August, 2010, four boys from Tamenglong, Imphal East and Imphal West districts were trafficked to Haryana through one Kalyan Ashram, Manipur.
In the month of September, 2010, three children including two girls and one boy from Churachandpur were trafficked to New Lambulane by the step-mother of the children, Nemkholhing.
Concerning the grave situation of child-trafficking in the state, the coordinator of Coalition on Childrenâ€™s Right to Protection (CCRP), A. Chinglemba stated that the state government should take up concrete measures to uplift the education system and generate more employment for the youths if the menace of human-trafficking is to be tackled. Mere vigilance of the police and other officials will not help much to counter the problem of trafficking. It is the overall development in socio-economic conditions of the people that will help to reduce the number of human-trafficking cases in the state, he noted.
Chinglemba further said that poverty stricken people are often the victims of human-trafficking and so the government should take up steps to provide them good education and help to generate employment. The failure of education system and unemployment are the major factors for human-trafficking.
The mode of human-trafficking in the state is changing from children to women. Many young girls from the state have been reportedly engaged in immoral activities outside the state including foreign countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Most of these women have been taken away from their home by some agents in the name of rendering good jobs, the coordinator of CCRP stated.
He also appealed to the people to be sensitive towards human-trafficking and make the New Year 2011 a happy and prosperous year free violence and human-trafficking.

CCRP calls upon CM to look into child rights violation cases

2011-01-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

IMPHAL, Dec 30: The Coalition on Children’s Rights to Protection (CCRP), Manipur has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh for immediate intervention and to deliver justice in the recent incident of grave violation of child rights in Manipur.

In this regard an official representations was submitted to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh by the CCRP recently on December 28, mentioning the reports of findings made by the organisation relating to the recent incidents of child right violations particularly in two of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) located in Manipur which need interventions from the National Commission of Child Rights in Manipur.

The official representations of CCRP, Manipur also recalled that, on November 29, last month deceased Chingakham Brington Singh 17, son of Ch Ibohal Singh of Kakching Makha Leikai Naodam Pareng of Thoubal district, a student of class-XII committed suicide and Kshetrimayum Ghanapriya Devi, 17, daughter of Ksh. Memcha Devi of Kakching Khunou Leikai, Cooperative Pareng Thoubal district, of the same class is under mental trauma after having been humiliated and mentally harassed by the school authorities of JNV, Umathel near Kakching Khunou, Thoubal district. Yet in another case of police brutality involving JNV students of Class-XI &XII of JNV, Khumbong, Imphal West district in which the students were allegedly canned by police in the school campus on the night of December 5 last.

The representation further mentioned that, the above cases occurring within a week involving two JNVs located in the state is an alarming trend and Coalition on Children’s Right to Protect (CCRP), Manipur is unduly concerned and immediately carried out two fact finding missions in the two JNVs for cases of violation of child rights by the school authorities and state police.

The official representations of CCRP, Manipur has also enclosed the reports of their recent findings to the cases and it observed that the way the school authorities had handled the cases irresponsibly and non child friendly. Since the school authorities failed to cross verify the facts of the incident or the explanations from the eyewitnesses on the issues of two students of JNV Umathel they are responsible for the unfortunate suicide committed by the humiliated student. In the other case of JNV Khumbong, instead of proper enquiry into the incident, the police behaved in a brutal way of physical and mental harassment to the students of JNV Khumbong. These are the vivid examples of child rights violation in the schools. The Dignity and self respect of the students were seriously hurt by the attitudes of the school authorities and state police.

After explaining all the facts, the official representation of the CCRP made their submissions that, the above cases are clear incidents of child right violations which gravely undermine the dignity, self respect, sentiment and emotion of the children and requested CM to intervene in the JNV Umathel suicide case and police brutality to the students of JNV Khumbong. Stern action is requested to deliver justice to the bereaved families of the boy and the traumatized girl student and also the humiliated and brutalized students of JNV Khumbong, so that such incidents of child right violations are not repeated in future.

Further the official representation has also drawn the attention of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to take up necessary action as per the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) guidelines on prohibiting corporal punishment and also the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s guidelines, and ruling of Supreme Court (December 1, 2000) banning the corporal punishment. And it has further urged and proposed the government to give directions to all concerned authorities including educational institutions that a Child Rights Cell should be set up in every school so that the children could lodge their complaints with facilities of Child Counseling and finally requested the Chief Minister of the state to set up State Commission for Protection of Child Rights without further delay. This is in view of the increasing trend of child right violations in the state including child trafficking, child labour, child soldier, child abuse, atrocities to children living with HIV/AIDS, the official representation of CCRP, Manipur added.

MACR approach NCPCR for intervention and justice to JNV student suicide case

2010-12-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

IMPHAL, Dec 11: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights MACR, has drawn the attention of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights NCPCR to intervene and deliver justice to the recent incident of suicide of a student of class XII Science of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Umathel Thoubal district on November 29 last month.

In an official memorandum of MACR submitted to the chairperson, NCPCR Dr Shantha Sinha yesterday, elaborated that the victim of the corporal punishment meted out by the authority of JNV, Umathel Thoubal district, Chingkham Brington, 17, son of Ch Ibohal of Kakching Makha Leikai Naodam bazaar committed suicide and very suicidal case has been taken as an example of practicing corporal punishment and abetment to committing suicide of an innocent brilliant student.

The memorandum further recalled that, on November 29 last the deceased, a student of class – XII science, of JNV, Umathel Thoubal district, engaged into a friendly conversation with one girl student inside the classroom at around 9am some minutes before the class hour. On seeing the duo already inside the classroom, some classmates decided to make fun of the situation. They mokingly said, ‘We would not let you come out from the room’ and shut up the door of the room from outside. Brington also reacted with flash of humor and said, “Then, we would not allow you all to enter inside” the same door was shut up from inside.

It further recalled that, incidentally, one Chongtham Babita, one of the teacher, came there, however, she could not sense the humorous situation. Rather, she interpreted the situation very differently and charged the two students inside the room of indulging gross moral misconduct. Surprisingly, the said teacher did not listen to the statement and clarifications given by the eyewitness students who stood around the classroom. She even slapped twice to a student who tried to convince her about the truth behind the incident.

The official memorandum further mentioned that, instead of enquiring the matter calmly, Chongtham Babita immediately rushed to the principal and lodged a complaint against the two students. The principal also did not listen either statement of the eye witnesses or explanations from the two students in question. Chongtham Babita the teacher, scolded the two with accusation and abusive words continuously. Mayengbam Raghumani, the principal took a harsh decision and sent back the two students to their respective homes at around 11.30 am of the same day. On the other hand, student Brington, who could not bear the humiliation meted out to him in presence of his classmates, committed suicide at a nearby place at his village, on the same day.

The memorandum of the MACR further mentioned that after a fact finding visit, MACR is of the opinion that the opinion that the way the school authority dealt the case was totally non child friendly, stigmatizing, and unfair. Since school authority did not take time to consider either for cross verification with eyewitness or self explanations from the two students, it was a stark example of overriding the principles of fair ahd humane dealing with juvenile or child. Dignity and worth of the said two students were seriously hurt by the humiliation meted out by the school authority. Therefore, the MACR requested chairperson of the NCPCR to intervene the JNV Umathel suicide case, in order to deliver justice to the bereaved family and not to repeat such case of corporal punishment which gravely inflicting dignity, sentiment and emotion of children.

The memorandum further urged to take up necessary stern action, so that the NCPCR guidelines on prohibiting corporal punishment and the subsequent letter to chief secretaries of the state also the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Guidelines and ruling of the Supreme Court on December, 1 2000 banning corporal punishment, are really followed and properly implemented in the state of Manipur.

The memorandum further urged specifically, to give direction to all concerned authority of educational institutions that a child rights cell/forum having facilities for child counseling in every schools is set-up so that children could lodge their complaints.

Finally, the official memorandum of the MACR requested the chairman NCPCR to give directions to the state government again to set up State Commission for Protection of child rights without further delay, since many child rights violation cases including child trafficking, child soldier, child abuse, atrocities to children living with HIV/AIDS are occurring so frequently in the state. Besides, the rights of children to free and compulsory Act, 2009 cannot be properly implemented without the state Commission for Protection of Child Rights in the trouble torn Manipur state, the memorandum added.

CCRP fact finding team on JNV student death case

2010-12-07T01:01:00.000-08:00

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 06 2010: A fact finding team comprising members of the Coalition on Children's Right to Protection (CCRP) Manipur and Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACRT) led by CCRP Core Working Group member AK Sanaton today started investigation into the suicide incident of a student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Umathel in Thoubal district.

Seventeen year old Ch Briton, a student of the JNV Umathel, committed suicide on November 29 allegedly after he was scolded by the teachers on the charge of sleeping together with a girl student lodging in the hostel of the same school.

Taking serious note on the suicide of the boy, the fact finding team of the CCRP Core Working Group today started investigating into the incident to find out the truth behind the student committing suicide.

The team recorded revelation made by the families of the victim student and the girl who was charged of sleeping together with the deceased boy, their close friends in the school, officers of the police station concerned, principal and teachers of the school as well as representatives of the Parents' Association during the visit.

During an interaction with, Additional SP Thoubal, Th Shyamsunder said that police registered an UD (Unnatural Death) case and investigating into the case.

Police has so far taken statements of the principal, teachers and girl students of the school and also examining the post mortem report of the dead body.

If any suspect of outside influence in the death of the student, police will convert the UD case into an FIR case.

He also informed that Thoubal DC has already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of the student.

Kakching SDC has been entrusted to conduct the inquiry.

Convener of the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Keisham Pradipkumar who was part of the fact finding team observed that while imparting education to the students, teachers should not give physical and mental violence to them.

Teachers and school managements are seemed to forget this at certain instances.

Right to education not fully implemented

2010-12-07T00:58:00.000-08:00

Source: Hueiyen News Service / Basanta Thokchom

Imphal, December 05 2010: Even though the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE) was extended in the state too, children are yet enjoy the same as government is yet to take up required steps to implement the Act.

The Act passed by parliament on August 4, 2009 describes the modalities of the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution.

India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child when the act came into force on 1 April 2010 .

However, even after the six months time given by the Centre to the states for taking up necessary works for the implementation of the provisions of the Act, the work remains unimplemented till date.

The six month period given by the Centre expired in October.

Even after the expiry of the deadline, state government has neither made the rules needed for implementation of the Act nor adopted the Central rules which the state can adopt for some times till the state's own rules are framed.

The state commission for protection of child rights which the state government is to set up to overlook the implementation of the Act and to deal with cases coming up from time to time regarding the abuse of the children's rights is also yet to materialize.

The setting up of the commission is a must under section 14 and 24 of the provision of the Act.

Among the states in the northeastern region except Assam and Sikkim no other states have established the commission.

In the two states, functioning of the commissions have already started.

As there is no authority to deal with the complaints against violation of rights of the children under the Act, complaints are to be lodged at the National Commission for Child Rights Protection.

The state advisory council for smooth implementation of the rights to education is also yet to be set up.

Even notifications inviting suggestions from the general people and other concerned have not been issued till date.

Steps for declaring local bodies like the panchayat, municipal councils and village authorities as local authorities for looking after the implementation of the Act are also yet to be taken up.

With regard to how far the children of the state enjoy the right to education, convener of the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Keisham Pradipkumar said that MACR had submitted a memorandum to the state Education minister on September 20 urging him to take necessary steps for effective implementation of the Act.

But, no such necessary action has been taken up so far, he said insisting that as the Act is a constitutional right, there is the need for an effective implementation of the Act.

Children are to enjoy the right fully.

He also suggested that while framing the rules for the state, children who are victims of armed conflict, affected and infected by HIV/AIDS and should be taken into account.

Special provisions should be added so that special care can be taken up for them.

Children living with HIV, AIDS in Manipur

2010-12-07T00:55:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a conflict zone, children living with HIV in the northeastern state of Manipur are deprived of more than their childhood.

Eleven-year-old Tina, who is HIV-positive, contracted measles and had to be taken to the far-off Imphal General Hospital. After initial treatment and medication was administered, the doctors referred her to an isolation ward of a neighbouring hospital.

When Tina and her mother arrived at the hospital, they found the isolation ward had been converted into staff quarters. So Tina returned home though her weakened condition demanded hospitalisation.

Consequently, she could not access the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) course either. She now lives in the shadow of death, without access to the only medication that promises survival.

According to the World Health Organisation, ART consists of the use of at least three anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease.

Huge reductions have been seen in rates of death and suffering when use is made of a potent anti-retroviral regimen. The ongoing conflict within the state often leads to curfews and restrictions on movement, in turn cutting off access to ART.

Frequent shutdowns and blockades called by different actors add seriously to the problem. For HIV-positive children, it results in sporadic supply of medication to the hospitals and healthcare centres.

"Only two of the state-specified seven hospitals that offer ART are regularly stocked with the necessary medication," says Dipankar Majumder, director, development support, Child Rights and You (CRY).

"The hospital in Imphal gets overcrowded because people from all across the state come to it in the search of treatment."

CRY's Ashim Ghosh, who also works in the region, adds: "Patients have to travel for up to 40 km, in a place where public transport is non-existent, to access the central hospital. Even then, care is not guaranteed."

Staff absenteeism, especially in remote districts, is common, due to the frequent outbursts of violence. This means that even when people from remote areas manage to make the expensive trip to the city to get their monthly stock of ART medicines, they cannot always get a health check-up at the same time.

"The importance of a stable education environment as a nurturing setting in which children can be taught about HIV/AIDS is underrated. Schools can be, and often are, a place for peer-to-peer learning, myth-breaking and monitoring the spread of the disease in key populations at higher risk within the local community," says Majumder.

Lack of access to healthcare and education are not the only struggles in the lives of Manipur's HIV-positive children. Efforts to change people's existing perceptions of the disease remain woefully unaddressed.

The stigma attached to HIV and AIDS is still widely prevalent across all sectors of the Manipuri community.

There is little evidence pointing towards concentrated efforts by the government to address the issue of children living with HIV.

CRY partner CCRP (Coalition on Children's Right to Protection) works extensively to influence policies to benefit children in Manipur. It says that there is no adequate provision for shelter, education and food to deal with the emerging issues.

Key figures of the number of children living with HIV in India are not officially published. HIV-positive children don't even feature as a category in the Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) 2007 Sentinel Surveillance report on the rate of HIV prevalence among various categories of population.

Even though Manipur was the first state in the country to have its own policy statement on AIDS, it has yet to develop a comprehensive plan to provide support and protection to children, both infected and affected by the AIDS epidemic.

"The situation of children living with HIV and AIDS cannot be separated from the other challenges that children in general are coping with in the region," says Yogita Verma Saigal, director, CRY.

With 36, 372 tested HIV positive, situation in state still face grim

2010-11-22T22:57:00.000-08:00

Posted by support on November 20, 2010 in Top Stories 0 Comment

IMPHAL, Nov 19: A one day constituency level programme on behaviour change and communication on HIV & AIDS was held today at the Irabot Memorial Hall, Chalou Lamlai organized by the Manipur Legislators’ Forum on HIV & AIDS, MLFA.

The awareness programme was attended by Th Lokeshore Singh, Speaker in charge of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and chairman MLFA, Ph Parijat Singh, health and family welfare, CADA, Labour and Employment minister and Dr H Borajao, MLA Sekmai assembly constituency and treasurer MLFA as the chief guest president and guest of honour.

Declaring Manipur as HIV/AIDS capital of the country, Sushil Huidrom, state coordinator UNAIDS, in his keynote address said that it is the tenth constituency level awareness campaign organized in the state.

He further added that HIV/AIDS was first detected in the state 20 years ago.

The first HIV/AIDS state policy in the country was first established in the year 1996 in Manipur.

A total of 36,372 persons have been found positive from 4, 17,637 test till August 2010 in the state. Even though the state annual percentage of affected persons tested has been diminishing for the past few years, the present percentage of 5.01-5.09 is double the times of the national tested affected percentage, Sushil said.

The infection rate is highest in the mother to child infection in the state which stands at 12 percent of the total affected persons. Even though the number of IDU in the state has been diminishing in the state, the number of drug users has increased in the state, he added.

He has further elaborated that the number of heterosexual, CSW and drug abuse transmission is still high in the state as compared to the overall national transmission rate.

The state has a total of 2000 approx children living with HIV/AIDS, with the transmission rate at Tamenglong and Senapati district beginning to increase dangerously even though it is low compared to other districts of the state which has reached flashpoints.

Dr H Borajao in his speech stated that the state has 17,000 ART users in the state as of the 2010 June report of MACS.

He has further added that the forum along with various departments including the social welfare, rural and Panchayat and minority departments of the state will be sitting along to chart out the various steps to be taken up on the HIV/AIDS issue in the state.

In the meantime the state government will be taking up steps to introduce BPL cards for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Being young and HIV-positive in Manipur

2010-10-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

By Paromita Pain

Senjenbam Noinoisana died recently. He was just 18 years old. Brutally murdered on April 7, 2010, his death was the culmination of all the discrimination he had faced in his short life.

Being young is not easy. Being HIV-positive and young in Imphal, state capital of Manipur, is perhaps as difficult as it can get. Allegedly killed for his property, Noinoisana was the HIV-positive child of AIDS-affected parents who died leaving him in the custody of his paternal aunt and uncle who mistreated him to the point of even denying him his ART (antiretroviral therapy) medicines.

Noinoisana’s case is common enough in Manipur which has the dubious distinction of having the largest HIV-positive population in the country. Children and young people bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic, which is further compounded by insurgency issues in the state.

The condition of children in Manipur is, in many ways, representative of HIV-positive children and young people all across India.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS recently declared that a large percentage of AIDS patients in India were not receiving timely treatment, and that this would soon pose a huge challenge as the country attempts to fight the virus. For the rising number of children affected by HIV/AIDS in the state, ART and the right to a life free of stigma and discrimination is imperative.

A number of reasons including the fact that they are too young to understand the disease and that they are usually left to fend for themselves hinder access to care and ART. While adult and mother-to-child transmission is highlighted, affected children and their unique problems receive very little attention in Manipur. The rising numbers are testimony to the fact that the response to HIV and children must take into consideration all three aspects of children living with, vulnerable to, and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Youth at risk

The Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates four guiding principles of survival, development and protection, non-discrimination and the best interests of the child, and participation as key principles in protecting and treating children with AIDS. Young people in Manipur deal with the same issues of discrimination that HIV-positive youth in other parts of India face. And some more. CRY’s (Child Rights and You) Jhilam Roychowdhury, who has worked on HIV in Maharashtra and Manipur, says: “Yes, I’d definitely agree. This was the first time I had heard of a child actually getting murdered because of his HIV-positive status! In Manipur, you’ll find small hamlets on the outskirts of villages where HIV-positive mothers and their children, who have been thrown out of their homes by relatives, try to eke out a living. We are creating a new group of ‘untouchables’, all because of the ignorance surrounding AIDS and the scarcity of medicines.”

Yet, children don’t ignore the reality of HIV/AIDS. After 14-year-old Bijay’s (name changed) father died of AIDS complications, he and his mother were unceremoniously thrown out of their home by relatives, with all their rights to home and property illegally revoked. His relatives got away with this because the boy and his mother were not aware of the legal recourse they could take. Also, the advancing disease was the main concern at this stage. Since he is a teenager, Bijay is able to go to hospital on his own, and is very particular about continuing his ART course. The family subsists on a stipend paid to his mother by another project. “My father’s family only allowed my elder sister to stay with them as she is not positive,” he says matter-of-factly.

Bijay’s views back up what Dr Priscilla Akwara, Unicef statistics expert, has to say. Recently awarded the IAS/CCABA Prize for Excellence in Research Related to the Needs of Children Affected by AIDS, at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Akwara and her team believe that not just HIV-positive children but children living in families of affected people must be considered vulnerable. Her research clearly states: “If an adult falls ill or dies, for instance, the child may have to leave school and work to support the family. Meals may not be available regularly, and the child’s access to healthcare may be limited. That’s why children who are orphaned or living with a chronically ill adult are frequently considered vulnerable.”

AIDS and child rights

Ashim Ghosh, who has been working with children’s rights in Manipur for the last two years, explains: “Three thousand children are HIV-positive in Manipur. Since public services like government-supported healthcare, the public distribution system, and anganwadis are almost non-functional in Manipur, children who are HIV-positive are practically left to fend for themselves, often with mothers who are infected as well. Without ART, survival is difficult. And ART is not easily forthcoming as there are exactly two hospitals offering the course. The one in the capital, Imphal, gets crowded because people from all across the state go there.”

Besides the scarcity of hospitals, practical factors like distance also play an important role. CRY volunteers working with HIV-positive children point out: “Patients have to travel up to 40 km, in a place where public transport is non-existent, to the central hospital. An added problem is that since these children are living in poverty, their diet during the therapy is not adequate.”

Take the case of 11-year-old Martina who lives with her HIV-positive mother. She contracted measles and had to be taken to a hospital in Imphal, some distance away. After the initial treatment and medicines, the doctors referred her to the isolation ward of a neighbouring hospital. When Martina and her mother reached that hospital, they discovered that the isolation ward had been converted into staff quarters. Martina is back home now, even though her condition demands hospitalisation. As a result, she cannot access her ART course either.

Understanding ART

Access to ART isn’t the only issue. Very often young children don’t understand why they have to take so many medicines. An important factor that is overlooked is counselling. Counsellors from the Wide Angle Social Development Organisation say: “Many don’t understand that even children have to know why they are being medicated when their friends don’t have to be. Children do not agree to take ART easily, even though they have to take orally administered drugs not injections. The benefits of counselling can’t be overlooked just because they are young. In fact, they need it the most.”

Activists and volunteers in Manipur believe that community-based support groups could play an important role in helping deal with such issues. “We call them mutual support groups, or safe spaces where HIV-positive community members can talk about and trace solutions to their specific problems,” explains Ghosh.

Roychowdhury seconds this view. She says: “We explain to the grown-up children who have the ability and the capacity to understand. They are told that HIV is a manageable disease and that the ART medicines are used to battle the HIV infection. We first talk to the parents and then we try to convince the children by saying that the medicines are like vitamins which are good for health and very necessary for them.”

Although organisations like the Kripa Foundation, based in Imphal, Manipur, are pitching in to enrol more young people in ART programmes, much more needs to be done. For, as the Kerala Children Advocacy Group (KCAG), affiliated to the Kerala Positive Women Network (KPWN+), findings have shown, children are willing to take their prescribed medicines but are often put off by the attitudes of caregivers administrating the doses.

Articulating needs

One strategy that seems to help combat the situation is CRY’s children’s collectives.

“Both positive children and those not affected are in the same group processes designed to erase discrimination among peers. It is a space for interaction using the ‘play way’ method; it later helps them disclose their status to their peers,” Roychowdhury explains.

In a state battling insurgency, the government often shifts focus to defence areas to the extent that vulnerable populations have little options to escape risk. A 2003 briefing paper from the World Bank estimated that India had the largest number of AIDS orphans in the world. It predicted that this “number is expected to more than double in five years, and the proportion of orphaned children will remain exceptionally high until 2020 or 2030”.

Ghosh warns that this might just come true, and says: “State authorities must invest in public facilities, infrastructure, and rights-related services such as primary healthcare, provision of ART for children, and schooling. This approach needs to be prioritised above the military approach to problem-solving in Manipur.”

Till informed awareness translates to proactive action, making treatment options cheaper and more readily available, cases like Senjenbam Noinoisana’s won’t remain rare.

(Paromita Pain is a senior reporter and sub-editor with The Hindu and its feature supplements Young World and NXg)

Infochange News & Features, October 2010

Education of HIV positive orphans win many hearts

2010-10-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Education of HIV positive orphans win many hearts

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19, 2010: "Its good that the education of my grand child has been insured.

Its like a heavy load taken from my head", said grandmother of Thoibi (name changed on request), a HIV affected child who has also lost both his parents to the disease.

Thoibi is 11 years old today and she is studying in class III in a private school.

Looking at her grandchild, the grandmother said, "How can an aged woman like me take the responsibility of educating my grandchild ? Yet she needs to be educated properly".

It has been declared that education is the birthright of every child and The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act has been implemented in the country to ensure this right.

Along with that, the Government of India has taken up special programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan to ensure education of every child in the country.

However, whether every eligible child is getting this right or not is altogether another story.

On top of this, the Govt has not taken up any specific programme to ensure education of children who have been either infected or affected by HIV and lost their parents to the disease.

Yet to ensure health and education of the HIV infected/affected orphans and help them lead a normal life like any other normal child, 93 children selected from every districts of Manipur under the mission of 'Education Support for Children Living with HIV and affected by the pandemic have been admitted to different schools.

Thoibi is one such selected students under this mission.

After both her parents passed away, Thoibi's health deteriorated on account of various opportunistic infections.

As a result, she had to stop going to school for about a year.

Today, her health has considerably improved and she has started attending classes again.

In the first examination of her school, she is among the top 10 rankers.

The mission of Education support for children living with HIV and affected by the pandemic, is being implemented in Manipur with the active responsibility and participation of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+).

So far, in all 93 children selected from various districts of Manipur including 15 from Bishnupur, 11 from Imphal West, 14 from Imphal East, three from Tamenglong and 10 each from Ukhrul, Senapati, Thoubal, Churachandpur and Chandel district are pursuing studies under this mission.

Thoibi said, "I like to attend classes and I go to school every day with one of my friends either on rickshaw or by foot.

I want to study hard and become a doctor".

Just like Thoibi, every child has ambition and hope.

In order to give wing to the hope of these children, the mission was launched in Manipur for the first time in 2009 along with ensuring education of 44 children.

In the current year, another 49 children have been admitted to school.

Under the mission, selected children are not only admitted to the school free of cost, but their monthly tuition fee, requisite exercise books and text books are also taken care of.

They are also provided with necessary treatment from time to time and other health check up facilities.

Interacting with The Sangai Express, convenor of the mission Maisnam Jhalajit said that there are around 6500 HIV infected/affected children in Manipur today.

Among them, there are many who could not go to school though they like to study.

Many of these children also have no access to the benefits of the projects being taken up with external funding.

So, this mission has been launched keeping in mind such marginalised and deprived children.

Jhalajit further explained that the implementation of the mission has been made possible from the contributions made by various individuals, commercial units and organisations at their level best.

Upto now, 97 philanthropists have been extending support to the mission.

He said that the main objective of the mission is to increase number of philanthropists so that more and more HIV infected/affected orphans can attend school.

Because education of the HIV infected/affected children in our society today should be responsibility of every one in the society.

Without proper guidance and education, these children may go astray and we cannot wait for the external funding projects to look after the needs of these young children.

Moreover, external funding projects are time bound.

So, the Government needs to take up special programmes in this regard.

Evict forces from schools in north east: SC to govt

2010-09-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Source- Hindustan Times

New Delhi, Sept. 1:The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to evict armed forces and paramilitary forces from schools and hostels in Assam and Manipur within two months. A bench headed by Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy gave the directions after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

informed SC that children from the north-eastern states were leaving their home states in search of education and were getting involved in trafficking.

NCPCR claimed children were forced to run away as their schools were taken over by the armed forces.

After reading the report, the bench ordered the home ministry to ensure that schools and hostels are free of army and paramilitary forces and asked the human resource and development ministry to find out the list of schools occupied by the forces in the two states.

Further, the bench asked the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to hold meetings with the seven north eastern states on various aspects of development.

The bench also asked Manipur, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to respond to the NCPCR's recommendation to shut down unregistered charitable houses running schools and hostels. It asked the states to file affidavits in response to the commission’s suggestions.

The court also accepted the NCPCR's request to retain the authority to review the matter with the state government.

Retreat order from schools

2010-09-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Source- Telegraph

OUR LEGAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, Sept. 1: The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to ensure all schools occupied by the armed forces are vacated within two months and to augment school infrastructure in the Northeast to stem trafficking of children to southern states.

A two-judge bench issued the order on a PIL alleging that children below 16 years were being lured by promises of a better life and illegally taken from Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Arunachal in the Northeast to Andhra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The children are being separated from their parents by unscrupulous and unregistered orphanages and homes and kept in subhuman conditions, the PIL alleged. Most of the children are malnourished and some had been exploited, it added.

The top court had on March 29, 2010, asked the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to inquire into the allegations. Subsequently, about 76 children were repatriated to their home states.

The commission has since been monitoring the process. Today, it asked for court permission to continue this. It also suggested that a major part of the problem was the state of schools in the Northeast.

MACR Children Cultural Meet at Imphal- 25th July 2010

2010-08-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Meeting on child rights held

2010-07-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 27: With an objective to implement free and compulsory education for children under the adopted “Children’s Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” a two-day consultation meeting with members of Village Education Committees (VECs) representing different districts along with Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) was held at Hotel Imphal since yesterday.

The unique consultation meeting which concluded today made an active consideration on the need of the hour for timely implementation of recently enacted “Children’s Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” in the state of Manipur, with demands for the acceleration of the implementation process of this Act.

The consultative meeting made an active observation to demand the setting up of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights which is indispensable to monitor and recommend proper implementation of the act. MACR is much concerned over the status of work of drafting of the Manipur state rules, as there is no such information for holding of consultation on the draft rules being prepared, even after completion of three months since enactment of this Act in April, 2010.

It was also further observed in the meeting that the state must speed up the process for making appropriate state rules, in which Manipur specific marginalized or disadvantaged children, such as children living with HIV/AIDS, conflict orphans, displaced children are covered in consultation with the civil society bodies.

It is high time now that the state notifies and re-orient its respective line officers. Local authorities like panchayat and municipal councils should take active role on effective implementation of the RTE. MACR urged the state government to ensure strong participation of civil societies in the preparatory and implementation stage of RTE in the state and MACR will take up all necessary steps at state and district level by organizing mass advocacy campaign to ensure that this Act is implemented for the benefit of the children of Manipur.

Children’s cultural meet held

2010-07-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

IMPHAL, Jul 25: Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) organised a cultural meet at the auditorium of Manipur Dramatic Union today.
Children from different districts both from hill and valley presented dance in the programme.
A report on the overview of children rights to protection in Manipur prepared by Coalition on Children’s Right to Protection (CCRP) was also released by Education Minister L Jayantakumar, who was the chief guest of the function.
Manipur State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr L Ibetombi was the president of the function.
Speaking at the occasion, L Jayantakumar said that the main task of the society is to focus on our children by giving them affection and good education.
The Minister added that taking keen interest in this regard, Central Government has introduced many schemes for women and children by keeping a separate ministry.
Dr L Ibetombi while speaking in the function said that many infants die during delivery in the State. Many children also lose their lives due to malnutrition, she added.
She emphasised on the need to provide proper physical, social and medical attention while bringing up children.
Speaking on children’s education, Dr L Ibetombi said, there is need to maintain better coordination between teachers and parents. She also emphasised on maintaining peace in the society to give good education to the children.

MACR Demands probe into the kidnapping of two children

2010-07-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

MACR condemned the incident of kidnapping of two children master Lairellakpam Nganba (12), son of L Ibochouba of Chingarel and Ngangbam Kuber (10), son of Ng Rajen of the same locality by some unknown persons on 19 July about 12.30 pm. Though the two children escaped from a deserted house located somewhere in Dewlahland on 21 July, at around 7 am, when they regained consciousness after nearly 45 hours of sedation by a gang coming in a Maruti Van, who overpowered them and anesthetized using some powerful chemical, the perpetrators are yet to be traced out. MACR demands to conduct a proper investigation into the crime against the children to unearth other details such as who would be the kidnappers, what were the possible motives behind, what kind of chemicals could they have used to tranquilize the children for such an long hours?

In Manipur, the incidents of kidnapping, child soldier recruitment and other form of child trafficking are still increasing, since most of the perpetrators and traffickers got off scot-free because of lack of proper crime investigation and strong legal proceedings. We urge to setup a pro-active inter-sectoral collaboration among the different stake holders including police, social welfare department, medical department, CWCs, JJBs, NGOs and civil society organizations to ensure immediate medical care, psychological treatment, social security to such victim children.

DESAM survey finds facilities lacking at schools

2010-07-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.ifp.co.in/shownews.php?newsid=11053

IMPHAL, July 17: As a part of its drive to bring a better education system in the state, the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur conducted a survey at various government schools located in Imphal West district today.

Giving details of the survey, a DESAM Imphal West unit release said altogether 11 schools located in Imphal West were covered in its latest inspection.

It said the survey was conducted at Rastrapati primary school, Keishampat, Trival primary school, Lamdeng, Public girls high school, Lamdeng Khunou, Ram Lal Paul high school, Keishamthong, Ideal girls primary school, Mayang Langjing, Mayang Langjing LP School, Mayang Langjing high school, Phayeng high school, Phayeng primary school and Heibongpokpi Leirenkabi high school.

During the survey, most of the schools were found lacking basic infrastructures like benches and desks apart from lacking other facilities.

In some of the schools, teachers were found absent besides failing to maintain attendance register, the DESAM said adding the number of students attending classes in some of the schools was negligible.

Regarding present condition of Ram Lal Paul high school, once regarded as a premier school of the state, the DESAM said the high school is awfully in bad condition today. It said the high school has many shortages due to lack of inspection by concerned authorities.

Of the total strength of 54 teaching staffs, 23 of them were found to be detailed for Census operation while only 11 teachers were found present and without maintaining attendence register. The school is also found to be lacking toilet facility apart from lacking benches and desks.

CCRP Workshop on Child participation

2010-07-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 30: With the objective of imparting leadership qualities along with competitive spirit to the downtrodden children of the state, the Coalition on Children’s Rights to Protection (CCRP), Manipur, conducted two-day children’s participation workshop cum cultural programme from June 28 to June 29 at MMKS Children Home.

During the two-day workshop, the children exhibited mind-blowing performance in various games and sports, social service and entertainment programme that included mimicry, songs, poem recitation etc.

A discussion session moderated by Lena Phanjoubam was also held during the two-day workshop. Various child rights activists participated in the discussion session which deliberated on several issues of the children staying at the children home.

The moderator of the discussion session, Lena observed that besides studies children need certain sort of recreation and relaxation so as to enable them to bring out their hidden talents. The children should not be made to confine only within the four walls of the classroom. They should be given adequate time for other extra-curricular activities so as to harness the pent up energy and ability they have inwardly, she said.

DESAM demands probe into primary teachers’ DPC case

2010-06-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 29: The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has called for constituting a fact finding committee of the Manipur State Assembly to bring out the fact and circumstances over the controversies surrounding the DPC result of primary teacher examination held in December 22, 2006.

While briefing media persons in this regard in a press conference held today at the students’ body office, DESAM general secretary, Angamba, said the reason behind putting on hold the results of primary teacher declared on April 22 by the directorate of education (S) was due to interference of MLAs, Ministers and bureaucrats.

He stated that the irregularities in the selection of the teachers and transfers of top officers in charge of the department was an attempt to fool the people adding he appealed the Governor to intervene into the matter to unearth corrupt system running in the department.

Transferring of top official of the department is an act of blinding the public in order to save the reputation of legislators adding the act was a stumbling block for the campaign of DESAM to bring quality education and education free zone.

While stating that corrupt practice in education system will only bring down the education systems, Angamba appeal the concerned authority not to approve any of the appointed candidates until the fact finding committee submit their reports. The DESAM also warned to launch certain form of agitations if government fails to initiate immediate measure to bring out the truth behind the controversies.

During the press conference, the DESAM also produced a person allegedly involved in misappropriating the kerosene quota of about 500 litres meant for the hosteller of Imphal college.

The students’ body also said that the misappropriation was done for the month of April and moreover another fake permit for the month of May was also seized from the person’s possession.

The accused is identified to be one Keisham Jackie, 25, son of Tomba of Mayang Langjing Tamang.

He was an ex-student of Imphal College and the DESAM took over the case following complaints from the students of the college for necessary investigation. He was later handed over to his family after being given proper counseling by the DESAM.

Education is about teaching children how best to face the future: Governor

2010-06-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 29: Annual prize distribution function of the Board of the Secondary Education Manipur to the outstanding students of the HSLC examination, 2010 conducted by the Board of Secondary education Manipur was held today at the J.N Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal.

Governor Gurbachand Jagat who attended the function as the chief guest said the idea of education is not merely to impart knowledge to the students in certain subjects but also essential in bringing them up and develop in them the habits and attitudes which may enable them to face the future as well.

The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur has been conducting the High School Leaving Certificate Examination since 1973 and this year’s pass percentage of 61% is 4% higher than that of last year. Though the overall pass percentage increased, the number of 1st division holders is lower and the 2nd Division holders is higher than usual which could be a result of the disturbances prevailing in the academic scenario before the examination, the Governor said and appealed to all concerned to stop the bandhs and blockades in Manipur once and for all so that Manipur can develop as the leader of the developing states in the country governor added.

In the meantime, state education minister while speaking at function today elaborated the efford of the state government to develop the education sector to an upto date level.

State education minister further mentioned that apart from considering for maintaining quality education in the state, the current SPF government is also considering for the inclusion of new syllabus to various subjects.

Mentioning the posibilities of having irregularities in the recent declaration of the result of the Viva Vorce for the appointment of Primary Teachers, an inquiry commission head by the chief secretary of the state have already been constituted to find out the realities, and the state government will take neccessary actions against the concerned officials involved in any malpractices.

The state government is also considering for the appointment of primary teachers at merit list after cancelling the recently declared results of the same posts.

12 trafficked children from Manipur resqued from Chennai home

2010-06-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL June 29: Altogether 12 children from the state hailing from Bishnupur district were rescued from a Children’s home based in Chennai.

The children aged between 10 to 15 years were brought to Guwahati on June 27 by an NGO from Chennai.

The children were brought back to Imphal by air yesterday by officials of the state socail welfare department and Bishnupur Child Welfare Committee members.

The children, three girls and nine boys all belonging to the Meitei community were being kept at a Children home at Takyel, Imphal West, since their arrival in Imphal and were handed back to their parents today.

However IFP reporter who went to cover the story was denied access by a staff of the Children Home and stated that the journalist will have to wait until the director social welfare G Satyabati arrives as per her instruction.

Mediapersons waited accordingly but Satyabati failed to arrive while the rescued children were handed back to their respective families.

Media request for detailed information about the rescued children like names and addresses as well as the events leading to the rescue from Chennai were also simply ignored.

However, unconfirmed sources said the children were rescued from Oasis Children Home based at Nungambakkam, Sitanagar Colony, Chennai and all the children have become conversant in Tamil.

Learn from SSA mistakes for RMSA : Education Minister

2010-06-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 24 2010: Education Minister L Jayantakumar has called for learning lesson from the mistakes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) so as to ensure successful implementation of Rashtriya Madhyami Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in Manipur.

Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of the newly constructed office building of RMSA at Babupara here today, Jayantakumar said that the Government of India has introduced the scheme of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) to ensure the benefit of higher secondary education to all the students who have attained elementary education irrespective of whether they come from poor or rich family.

Explaining that the main objective of RMSA is to provide the benefit of higher secondary to all the students compulsorily by 2017, the Minister said that after children in the age group of 6 to 14 have been ensure elementary education under the SSA, it is the objective of RMSA to ensure quality education at the secondary level to students between the age group of 14 to 18 .

The Minister noted that although SSA had been launched in other parts of the country in 2001, its implementation in Manipur had been delayed around by 4 to 5 months and numerous problems have been faced initially.

So, learning from that experiences, every possible measures should be made to ensure the success of RMSA implementation, he exhorted all concerned.

Along with passing of Right to Education Act and recognition of education as the fundamental rights of every child, the significance of schemes like SSA and RMSA is becoming all the more glaring, the Minister added.

Stating that now we have the money and the material to provide quality education to the students, the Minister called upon every section of the society to contribute their mite toward the cause of educating every child and development of their potential.

The Minister further observed that the proposal for common examination of class XII at all India level is a big challenge that should be accepted.

Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Education Commissioner PK Singh and other officials of the Education Dept were also present at the occasion.

CCRP calls for child rights sensitisation

2010-06-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

Source-Imphal Free Press dated- 29th June 2010

IMPHAL, June 28: The Coalition on Children's Right to Protection (CCRP), Manipur, organized a one day consultative meeting on "The role of stake holders and sharing on the status report on children of Manipur" on June 26 at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal, Imphal.

The meeting deliberated on the defining role of civil societies and media for ensuring child rights in the state.

During the meeting, A. Sarat Sharma, former director (social welfare) observed that the child welfare board is working for the welfare of children of the state who are facing lots of problems owing to the myriad social issues. The board has taken the initiative to implement various welfare schemes for the children of the state, he said.

Senior core group member of CCRP, Ak Sanaton stressed on the role of media for ensuring child rights in the state. He said that the journalists of the state should take keen interests in investigative reporting on child rights violation and trafficking which have become major social issues of the state.

Delivering the key note address, state coordinator of CCRP, K. Pradipkumar stated that the children's right to protection covers sageguarding the children against all forms of abuse, in the criminal justice system, children involved in armed conflict, child labour, drug abuse, sexual abuse. The protection rights of the children are governed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC) and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and its amendments of 2006, he noted.

He further said that prolonged armed conflict and violence have seriously affected the rights of the children in the state. Both government and non-government organizations should join hands to safeguard the rights of the children who are the future pillars of the society, he enjoined.

Child trafficking growing in northeast India

2010-05-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Source-http://www.upi.com/Features/Culture_Society/2010/05/11/Child-trafficking-growing-in-northeast-India/12735918721035/

Published: May 11, 2010 at 12:01 PM

After decades of political tumult, India’s northeastern region is shattered, disadvantaged. The region is a hotbed of violence but recent years have brought a tenuous peace.

Through the prism of human rights, though, things are far from OK. Nearly 20 percent of the region’s children between the ages of 11 and 17 are involved in prostitution, a 2008 report by Global Organization for Life Development, an organization that helps trafficking victims, said.

That figure is believed to have grown at a rate of about 5 percent per year, leading experts to identify the region as a major center of human trafficking. And that's not likely to change anytime soon, they said. Poverty, often due to the region’s violence, is the catalyst that usually forces children into the flesh trade, according to the organization.

Most of the young girls who are forced into prostitution are from Assam state, followed by Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and the border disputed state Arunachal Pradesh, the report said. Some are sold to brothels in Pune, Mumbai and other metropolises.

“While any violence, sexual or otherwise, exacted on children is condemnable, abject poverty is the root cause,” said Gopi Venkataraman of Give India, a non-profit focused on human rights.

Destitute parents are often made to sell their own children, she said.

“Educating parents and providing them means to earn a living can reduce this evil,” she said. “Vigilance by parents or community is important to prevent trafficking.”

Impulse Asia, another organization in northeast India, reports large-scale sexual exploitation of children in the region.

“Human trafficking is an abuse to human rights, with women and children being the predominant victims,” said Shoma Chatterji, an activist and author of "Gender and Conflict."

Traffickers have shown interest in girls from India's northeastern regions because of their distinctive features, experts say.The region shares major international borders, which facilitate trafficking to other Asian nations and beyond.

“Cross-border trafficking can be controlled with strict monitoring,” Chatterji said. “The corrupt officials of the Border Security Force serving as accomplices to the felony need to be punished and the government should form bodies specifically looking into this.”

The region has seen a steady rise in the AIDS count, too, AIDS awareness group AVERT, Catholic Relief Services and other organizations say.

Though prostitution isn't the only reason why AIDS has spread profusely in the region – use of drugs via injections has spurred much of it – human rights groups are working to raise awareness among sex workers. The majority of the prostitutes participate in unprotected sex, which increases the chance of HIV infection.

“Children are sold to parts of India (often brothels) as parents cannot feed them,” said Susenjit Guha, a nationally known columnist. “Government should be able to ensure education for all."

Plight of Children

2010-05-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS
Posted: 2010-05-25

Any discussion on the plight of children at this juncture cannot but begin with a salutation and prayer for the children amongst those displaced by the violence at Mao Gate on May 6 and the atmosphere of insecurity still prevailing in and around the highway township. Although unfortunately media coverage of their plight has been very scarce in the state on account of the continued uncertain political condition, marked most prominently by the blockade on the two national highways, in this case the NH-39, there is no gainsaying what the suffering these innocent, young and impressionable minds must be put through at this moment. We urge upon the government of Manipur and all the parties involved in the faceoff to ease their stances, if not for anything else, then at least to restore the conditions that would pave the way for a return of normalcy at the Mao Gate area in particular and in the two states of Nagaland and Manipur at the soonest so the scars on the minds of the children are not further deepened.

This condition of course had been created by an unfortunate emergent situation, and hence is an exception to be tackled as an exception. There are however other more sustained and invisible threats to the welfare of children in general resulting not so much from any wilful policy intent, but from sheer negligence coming out of a presumption of familiarity. One of these came to light recently during a function at a destitute home in Imphal which was sending off three of its long time residents, one of them after he reached the age of 18 and the other two because they had appeared for the matriculation examination. As is the case in most such charitable homes all over the country, children residents are obliged to become dissociated from their umbrage upon completing school or else reaching the age of 18, whichever comes first.

In this extremely competitive age, to be left to fend for yourself, with no guarantee of security of a home to return to, at 18 and with no employable skill or degree, would be an intimidating prospect for anybody, but for a homeless orphan who grew up in public homes, this would be a nightmare. Indeed some years ago, before the cut-off age norm for ejection from these homes were introduced, there have even been cases of children deliberately failing their exams so as to delay their departures. In Manipur there are at least a dozen such homes both in Imphal and in the other districts, and every year on the average a dozen or two would be completing school and thus having by law to forsake the roof over their heads and the guarantee of at least two square meals a day. This, nobody will dispute is cruel. Nobody other than the most desperately poor would do this to their own children. If this is so, why should the society and more pertinently the government allow this to continue without even bothering to give them a thought.

There are two approaches that we can suggest to overcome this issue. One, the government as well as charitable organisations must invest in building buffer institutes where children who pass out from children homes can enlist and prepare further for at least another two years to prepare to meet the world on their own. Given the circumstance in Manipur today, these could be vocational training institutes where the children are taught job oriented skills. For the bright students, the government could introduce some fellowships for them to continue further studies and acquire the knowledge and skills for higher level professions. The other approach is not to wait for school to be over and to instead introduce vocation training say after Class 8, so that by the time they pass out from these homes, they would have been imparted employable skills of their choices for at least two years. This could also be by way of apprenticeships that the government can arrange with private enterprises offering blue collar jobs such as motor car workshops, tailoring shops, printing presses, electronic repair shops etc, according to the aptitudes and inclinations of the children. For obvious reason this latter option would also be the second, to be applied only if the first option of setting up buffer institutions is not feasible for whatever the reason.

CCRP raises concern for fate of children

2010-05-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 24: The Coalition on Children`s Right to Protection Manipur in a press meet held today at Press Club, Major Khul has today put up various demands to concern authorities regarding the welfare of the children in the state.

K Pradip State Coordinator, CCRP, while briefing the media persons in the press meet has stated that children of both hills and plain areas of the state are at the receiving ends of the present political impasse, which has largely traumatized and put undue pressure upon them, though the children are quite ignorant of the opposing political campaigns of the present situation in the state.

He also stated that pregnant women and ailing children are suffering most due to want of food, medicine and care and need immediate attention.

He further mentioned that the lack of fuel in the state due to the present imbroglio in the state has led to complete closure of the educational scenario in the state. Several thousands of students in the valley districts had already lost four months due to the recent indefinite class boycott call and now added with the present situation have become the worst affected group. He has also stated that the compelling situation of the state has led to various schools announcing their summer vacations immaturely.

He further stated that the CCRP demands withdrawal of the indefinite blockade that has been imposed upon the national highways by ANSAM since April 7. The demands also include withdrawal of the ban on Manipur bound vehicles in Nagaland by NSF and the recent retaliatory moves of counter blockades by Manipuri women folks, which he states are against humanity and stark violations of basic human rights, including right to life. He has further appealed to all concern not to use blockades as a means to achieve political ends of a group or a community by keeping human lives under hostage.

While drawing the attention of the union government and the state government to do the needful to ensure free and secure national highways, the CCRP has also demanded of the state government to arrange and provide fuel required by vehicles transporting school students, considering education as an essential service sector.

It has also demanded arrangement of special ration cards for PDS items for children homes and other institutions providing care and shelter to destitute and marginalized children.

While stating that counter blockade has not affected those responsible for the blockade but are rather provoking the innocent people, the CCRP has demanded equal distribution of whatever essential commodities available in the state, irrespective of hills and valley.

The press meet which was also attended by S Sarju Devi, convenor CCRP, AK Sanaton, senior core group of CCRP, H Rashi Devi, member of core group, CCRP, has also appealed to all to apply to the strategy of living in harmony with sharing and caring for each other among the hills and plain in the wake of the present turmoil in the state.

It has also demanded safe passage of essential items from outside the state and from Imphal to the hill districts and exemption of medicines, educational materials, services related to children by all concern parties from any kind of impositions, blockades, restrictions and bandhs.

Govt must clamp down on strike

2010-05-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Imphal Free Press

Source: Leader Writer: Leivon Jimmy

Who says Manipur is a land of anarchy, the Government doesn’t hesitate to react if any one goes against it. There have been many apparent cases. For instances like the recent arrest of three employees of the PHE department by the police for not complying to the directive and warning of the Government not join in the strike of the JAC of AMGEO and AMTUC under the Manipur Essential commodities act. With the arrest of PHE employees the Government has shown the might of law and its presence in the state.

The message is loud and clear that no one messes with the essential Rights of the people and indicates the long hands of law. But unfortunately, who will take responsible for deprivation of the public in getting their essential needs for so many years. How many of us living in the state has witness a running tap water, are we getting regular electricity supply, do the rightful section of the society getting PDS items regularly. This is a prolonged deprivation that has been witnessed by the general public.

Who would take action for this deprivation of Rights? Will it be within the reach of law? Will the people get justice for the chronic issue, which still lingers today?

There are so many questioned that we doubt we can get any answers. What we will get is only explanation or clarification, for the problem. No doubt insurgency problem would appear as the number one issue in the clarification list followed by many other technical complications and blame game of the past Governments. These clarifications become very frequent that sometimes it appears to be more like excuse for failing to improve the failing system each time. What we need to hear is an encouraging development.

Without basic essential needs it is obvious that the essence of life is missing but still people hesitate to do something instead trying to adapt the situation. The attitude of the people is allowing for many Government find its niche. To adapt with the very course of life people encourage black markets network and also other private activities, compromising its Rights. One glaring example is the Kerosene oil, even though Government stands it in cheap rate the failure in Public Distribution Systems people is left with no choice but to buy it in higher rates which sometimes jump to a rate equal to diesels. This allows the black marketer to play its game forming a large network of profit making indulging big shots resulting the systems to stay permanently. Same for other items like BPL, APL Rice etc. moreover many of the basic essentials items are being purchased by the public that ought to be supply by the Government for it has totally failed to delivered by and large.

If concerned authority can nail the striking employees, who claimed to be protesting for its Rights, under the so-called “Essential Commodities Act”. It must be aware of the prolonged deprivation of Essentials Rights and consequences arising out of it.

Excuses and blame game is a waste of time however the desperate need of the hour is swift action irrespective of who is who.

The general Public too needs to be awake for what they have been put into before it is too late as the future generation may have grudge for situation that they have created.

Blockade deprives Right to education’

2010-05-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

Blockade deprives Right to education’
http://thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local%20news-13.html

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 24: Contending that right to education of the students have deprived because of the total economic blockade along the National Highways, Coalition on Children’s Right to Protection (CCRP) has called upon for intervention of the Government of India to end the blockade and ensure proper education of the students.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today, State co-ordinator of CCRP K Pradipkumar observed that education has become to a complete halt in Manipur after the transport services of the schools stopped due to lack of fuel on account of the ongoing economic blockade.
This has given a serious impact on the education of the students, Pradipkumar said.
Convenor of CCRP S Sharaju Devi noted that there would be a definite gap in the education of the students in Manipur if the crippling effect of blockade continues.
Pointing out that proper education is a right of the students guaranteed by the Constitution of India, she called upon the Government of India for intervention so as to protect the rights of the students.
Stating that National Highways are under the control of the Central Government, she also question why the Centre has been remaining quiet over the issue.
Chairman of CCRP H Rashi Devi observed that the Constitutional provisions of free and compulsory education is of no use if there is no food and nutrition for the students. So, the Government should see that food is made available to the students.
Pradipkumar added that children in Children Homes are the ones who have been affected the most from the shortage of food on account of blockade.
He suggested that special ration cards should be issued for providing PSD items to these children.
Coalition on Children’s Right to Protection has also called for lifting the economic blockade as well the counter-economic blockade.

Tengnoupal PHC, SDO/BDO functioning not up to the mark

2010-05-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

source- Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 20: The Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Tengnoupal Sub-division Headquarter has at present no doctors or other staff, nor any equipment. Moreover, the building has not been repaired although it is around 20 years old. The wooden walls, windows and doors, the RCC floor and the wooden pillars are all in various degrees of dilapidation making the health centre completely uninhabitable and unsafe for any kind of work to be done from there.

As the building is not under use the health centre is now being used as a godown for storing charcoal by the locals. The charcoal is meant for sale in the various markets in the state, including Imphal. The building was constructed in 1967 and is just next to the National Highway-39. One can make out at the first sight that the building is not fit for use.

The PHC is the only one in the Tengnoupal sub-division and as it is non-functional for the past many years, people have to go to the 29 AR post in Tengnoupal for treatment. While the 29 AR post can treat only minor cases those with major problems have to go to the hospitals in Imphal. As a result the people of Tengnoupal have to undergo a lot of hardships whenever there are any cases of illness or disease.

Since the health centre was established no doctors have been present in there to treat the patients. In this regard the villagers submitted memorandums to the concerned authorities at various times but they never got a positive response till now. However, the villagers hope that one day the building will surely be reconstructed by the concerned authorities. Villagers also expect that one day all the necessities will be provided to them.
Further, President of Kuki Student Organization(KSO) Tengnoupal Block, Thangboi Lungdin stated that the said PHC was only for name sake and the PHC of Tengnoupal Sub-Division is under the supervision of SDO/BDO Darsinso Aimol but he does not look after it. In this matter the said PHC was not providing any facilities, he charged.

Meanwhile, Thangboi Lungdin stated to IFP that a building of the SDO/BDO was inaugurated in 2007 by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, and the government handed it over to the people of Tengnoupal Sub-Division. But the SDO/BDO never came to this office and they never did anything to make it function also.

Seven to eight years before the inauguration of the building the villagers rented a building for temporary office but the SDO/BDO and other subordinate staff never visited them and the concerned officers never enquired into the problems of the villagers. The villagers also charged that the SDO/BDO Darsinso Aimol never looked into the problems of the area because of which the area had become one of the most backward areas.

Thangboi Lungdin appealed to the higher authorities to take action against the SDO/BDO and his subordinate staff as they are not interested in their work and are interested in only making their position comfortable while neglecting the villagers.

SUPREME COURT RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS ON CHILD PROTECTION

2010-05-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court Friday asked all states and union territories to “forthwith” set up three types of statutory bodies in all districts, as mandated by a 2000 central law for the welfare of juveniles and children in the country. Two days after ordering Delhi government to establish night shelters for thousand of the capital’s homeless, a bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice A.K. Patnaik directed all states to set up statutory bodies under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, within six weeks.

“It has become imperative to direct all the states to implement the provisions of the law forthwith and establish Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee and special juvenile policing units within 6 weeks from today,” the bench ordered.On a suggestion by Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, the bench also deputed the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights as the nodal agency to supervise the implementation of the apex court order.The three statutory bodies that the bench ordered state governments to set up in all districts as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act are: Juvenile Justice Board – a court to try juvenile delinquents, Child Welfare Committees (CWC), and the special police units to handle the cases related to juveniles.The bench gave the order while hearing a 2006 lawsuit by a civil society organisation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), which sought implementation of the various provisions of theJuvenile Justice Act, 2000.The bench gave the order as senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the BBA, told the court that various key provisions of the law remain unimplemented till date despite lapse of nearly a decade after the central legislation was enacted.During the hearing, the bench singled out poverty as the reason why the children keep returning to workplaces, including the hazardous ones, despite ban on child labour.Citing the example of Brazil, Chile and various Latin American countries, the bench observed that child labour was not unique to India and wanted the government to learn from Brazilian experience, where the government would give some financial incentives to the poor parents of the children withdrawn from workplaces and sent to schools.

Let Education be a Free Zone

2010-05-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

Source- Imphal Free Press

Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda
It seems the education sector in the state has become a secondary target due to the impact of many eventualities that have occurred in the state in the past many years. The state of Manipur being in a conflict situation the present society in the state has become complex. Besdies disturbing the entire structure and normalcy in the state the unwanted eventualities, involving either state actors or non-state actors in the state have caused a prolonged dilemma for the education sector in the state. In the meantime, stressing the importance and value of education in the modern day both the Centre and the state governments have already placed priority on Human Resource Development by implementing various schemes and programs for compulsory education upto Class-XII. Moreover many civil society and student organizations of the state have been making an effort to repulse any form of disturbance to the academic atmosphere of the state so as to enable the educational institutions to impart quality education. The level of awareness has risen in the state due to the circumstances caused by the disturbed academic atmosphere and nobody is now willing to defend the rising disturbances to the academic atmosphere which have created many problems in the state for one and all, especially the students. It may be recalled that the entire academic atmosphere in the state had been paralysed for more than five months due to the mass agitation spearheaded by the Working Committee of Apunba Lup. The Lup was demanding justice in the case of the broad daylight killing of Sanjit and Rabina Devi and injuring of five others at BT Road on July 23 last year by the state police commandos, which led to the total disruption of the Academic Calendar of the state. The issue was brought to an end later and normal classes in every educational institution have resumed since the beginning of the last month.

But this may have been said too soon. The entire educational atmosphere has gradually started declining again with the school vans and other transportation services going off the roads due to the shortage of petrol and diesel following the protracted economic blockade along the existing National Highways in the state. On the other hand, it is very unfortunate to learn that the prolonged economic blockade has adversely affected the movement of around 7000 teachers working in various private schools and the attendance of students have declined as the vans and other transporter services have been stopped. How pitiful that the state government is uncaring towards the fate of the students like this. How long will such disturbances and difficulties plague the students community? Such questions will continue to arise in the minds of students of the state, may be for a long time to come. While remembering the lifestyle and education system that had been prevalent during the 80’s we can recall that there was no such difficulty faced in going to school by the students and teachers even from far flung homes in those days. Students as well as teachers labored on their own to travel long distances by foot or by using bicycles and few students and teachers from well to do families were seen using motorcars. But at present many of the students and teachers from different schools and educational institutions rely on vans and other means of quick transport services, no doubt a system which has been brought around with the change in times. The major concern now for everyone in the state is the lack of sincerity by this government to tackle urgent problems and bringing about right solutions for many eventualities that may affect normlacy in the state. It is the responsibility of the state government to look at the welfare of the people and also to cater to the requirements of the people by choosing alternative measures. If the state government really feels it is a popular government apart from solving various issues and problems of the state it would be better to keep their word and let education be a free zone, as frequently mentioned by the state government.

Child trafficking growing in northeast India

2010-05-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

source-By Abhirup Bhunia, Written for UPI