The Fight Against Drugs

By M.C. Linthoingambee There has been no dearth of news with regard to drug busts in Manipur or of various organizations coming forth to take the battle against drugs head

By M.C. Linthoingambee

There has been no dearth of news with regard to drug busts in Manipur or of various organizations coming forth to take the battle against drugs head on. Interestingly, the word ‘drug’ has been so abused on its own that only negative connotations are associated with it. Mention ‘drugs’ and the immediate reaction is to associate it with those that are abused even though it is a generic word for all medicines! Some drugs do come into the category of good or grades as general A average due to their inner chemical components that helps in treating various diseases and illnesses. While legal drugs are made available in the market for treatment, there are also those drugs that exists in a very parallel universe termed and marked illegal but as always are sold over the counter.

Drug Trafficking is a common offence in most places. The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has published data in 2012 indicating that the highly active states involved in the majority of drug trafficking cases are led by Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and so on. There are two acts currently leading in the framing of the main drug policies in India which extends to the whole of India and all its Indian Citizens and to any ships or aircrafts registered in India. All major delegation of litigation fighting to such affect is dealt in the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 shorty acclaimed as NDPS Act where it states that it is illegal for a person to produce, manufacture, cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. One of the main motive in this drug policy was also to establish the Narcotics Control Bureau that does every bit of work to control anything related to the above actions. There is also the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Today, there are also news of the Foods and Drugs Administration joining hands with the Narcotics wing to control the spread of further drug trafficking. Possession of drugs in itself is an offence under the NDPS ACT where it doesn’t matter it if was for a personal use or for any other purpose. The punishment depends upon the quantity of drugs he possesses. However, if he is charged with either possession of small quantities of drugs or with consumption of drugs and he voluntarily seeks to undergo medical treatment for de– addiction from a hospital or an institution maintained or recognized by the government or a local authority, he shall not be liable for prosecution. This immunity from prosecution may be withdrawn if he does not undergo the complete treatment for de–addiction.

All of us do not need to take part in making indifference choices. The society isn’t bold without its people. With more and more youngsters introduced to drugs at a young age we see more people consuming these illegal substance and intoxicants. When a person is heavily intoxicated, they loose the ability to think and this situation as one might say hasn’t very much put us in a very good place. The underage drunks, the college students who smokes because they think it’s cool when their other friends do it, those many who delve into intoxicants under peer pressure, maybe it wont be so wrong to ask them to stop but, “Who’s going to stop?”, “No one”. Until they try it for themselves, “No smoking in public places”, “Smoking is injurious to health”, etc the leading advertisements are just another ignorance. Its always a walk in the park until the side effects come alive where it is indeed true as they say – We reap what we sow.

While in Manipur, news come by every now and then of women folks like the Meira-Paibis, other voluntary organizations like AMADA, CADA, etc making initiatives of catching anyone in possession of any of these Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances with certain displays of burning and destroying them on TV. The involutary liability one gives for drug addiction is being uncontrollable when the supply or stock of the Narcotic or Psychotropic Substances run out. Drug use also crime rates as it induces those who abuse them to make errors in judgements and hence, take to theiving, robbery, assaults and even killings in the cloud of their ‘high’. Yet, this does not mean that drug abuse need only strict policing as it is a public health issue. The involvement of people who have been into drug abuse and who fought to stay clean and clear from them to communicate with people who continue to use drugs may be a good beginning.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/the-fight-against-drugs/

The Impossibility of Empathy – Part II

By Soibam Haripriya Empathy could be, in this context, thought of as identification with the tormented. The word identification is surprisingly beautifully described in the dictionary as “the process by

By Soibam Haripriya

Empathy could be, in this context, thought of as identification with the tormented. The word identification is surprisingly beautifully described in the dictionary as “the process by which one ascribes to oneself the qualities or characteristics of another person”. Another entry describes it as “the perception of another as an extension of oneself”. The latter word is potent enough to keep one thinking as to why is the word ‘solidarity’ is used when extending our ‘solidarity’ to another struggle. Identification is certainly a more difficult location to inhabit, to perceive another as an extension of oneself is certainly an investment that is deeply enmeshed with set identities that prevent this.

An extension of the earlier discussion of certain cases of violence sees mobilisation on starkly certain lines. The few months old discussion of racism which has certainly died down now too sees this trend – that many are in solidarity with the campaign and yet couldn’t draw lines of identification with it. Tragically it will be another spurt of violence that will revive the discussion on racism. Crime against women, to reiterate the previous discussion is not a solitary issue. It is enmeshed with identities or the lack of it, drawn across class, caste, ‘racial’ity, ethnic otherness, etc. An age old question that gets regularly asked of groups of women fighting against crime, inequality and gender subjugation is of the possibility of building a larger solidarity of women. It is certainly not necessary that women derive their primary identification with the fact of belonging to a certain sex and gender, just as it is impossible for men too. It is however, another idea that I want to pursue, that is of individual identification building up to a larger idea of commonalities of purpose.

Identification, “the perception of another as an extension of oneself” could lead to empathy. The various crimes against women gets entangled with values of ‘shame’, ‘honour’ of a community rather than becoming a deeply felt individual violation in itself too, which it is. Certainly, there is no denying that crimes against women are tools used against communities, ethnic and class and caste others. The intersectionality of the fact of being of a certain sex, gender and caste and class and many other identities do make one be at the receiving end. The same intersectionality also gives certain other people the belief that they can with impunity commit certain crimes. While one can draw commonalities and be in solidarity with a certain individual affected by crime of such nature which gets conflated as many other things, the highly individual nature of the outrage is to be recognised too.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/the-impossibility-of-empathy-part-ii/

Watch your water

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant With the arriving monsoons it becomes very essential to be aware of the importance of water, along with the diseases that can be caused through

By Dr Khushboo Shah Sawant

With the arriving monsoons it becomes very essential to be aware of the importance of water, along with the diseases that can be caused through water. Diseases caused due to consumption of contaminated water are known as water borne diseases. They are extremely prevalent especially during monsoons, where there may be chances of water logging, mixing of contaminated water with clean water, or simply contamination of open water bodies like lakes, ponds or rivers.

Consumption of water contaminated by human or animal excreta, waste matters which contain pathogenic microorganism’s causes water borne diseases. Flood water can carry along with it, while open sewage, human and animal faeces, chemical wastes, or any other form of dead or decaying matter can also give rise to diseases like diarrhea. Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa are the most common and wide spread health risks associated with drinking water. In a country like ours, a major chunk of diseases are caused due to water borne microorganisms. Children specially are most susceptible to them, giving rise to water borne diseases being one of the leading causes of childhood deaths and more so with diarrhea.

Waterborne diseases are contagious and require high standards of hygiene and sanitation in order to prevent it. However, it is essential to know first how the infection takes place. The micro-organisms present in human or animal waste enter into a healthy human body and cause disease. The most common way by which the micro-organisms are spread is through drinking contaminated water. However apart from that, water borne diseases can be spread through various other means such as, through clothes, hands, food, materials used for cooking eating and drinking. There are also some micro-organisms that can enter the body through an open wound, eyes, and nose as well.

Water borne diseases are extremely harmful and lead to some severe illnesses and may sometimes be fatal. They reduce the body’s resistance and also rip off various vital nourishment, and make the body furthermore susceptible to diseases. Therefore it is important to be aware of a few common waterborne diseases:

Amoebiasis: It is a parasitic infection caused by ‘entamoeba histolytica’ due to ingestion of faecal matter of an infected person, usually from an infected water supply source. It causes severe diarrhea, stomach pain along with cramping.

Cholera: Caused due to the ‘vibrio cholera’ bacteria is an epidemic whose outbreak is caused by contaminated drinking water. The symptoms of cholera are severe watery stool, vomiting, and cramps in the legs. Dehydration occurs in the people affected and can even lead to death.

E Coli: is caused by a bacteria ‘Escherichia coli’ that festers in undercooked beef or other meat cooked in unhygienic conditions, unpasteurized milk etc. An E Coli infected person may have symptoms such as diarrhea which may even have blood in it along with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Giardiasis: The causative organism is a parasite ‘Giardia lamblia’ and is present mostly in contaminated water. The symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive gas formation in the stomach, nausea and an overall upset feeling of the stomach.

Hepatitis A: commonly known as Jaundice, it is a viral infection caused due to food prepared in unhygienic conditions, contaminated water, shell-fish, raw salads and vegetables which have not been cleaned properly. The symptoms are dull low fever, fatigue, weakness, pain in stomach, nausea, aversion to food, dark yellow coloured urine, yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes etc.

Typhoid: Caused by a bacteria ‘Salmonella Typhi’ happens mainly through consumption of contaminated milk or milk products, poultry, eggs, meat, meat products etc. Symptoms of typhoid include consistent fever, headache, constipation as well as diarrhea, vomiting loss of appetite, and an abdominal rash.

Viral Gastroenteritis: by far one of the most common water borne disease and caused by ‘calicivirus virus’. A viral gastroenteritis is caused typically after consumption of contaminated water or food prepared in contaminated water, eating raw fruits or vegetables which have not been washed etc. The symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting nausea, headache, body ache, cramps in the stomach, tiredness, fever etc.

The common symptoms that run through most of the water borne diseases are diarrhea and vomiting which happens to be the main reasons of children death. The main risk in diarrhea or vomiting is dehydration, which means the loss of vital fluid content of the body hindering its normal functioning. It is very important to watch out for the signs of dehydration, which are extreme or continuous thirst, reduced frequency of urination than normal, the colour of the urine becoming dark yellow, inability to sweat, fatigue, dryness of the mucous membranes around the lips, eyes etc, loss of moisture in the skin, light headedness etc. By the time these signs develop, the dehydration may be advanced and so it is very important to replenish the lost fluids and essential salts called as electrolytes.

All said and done, there is a simple solution for water borne diseases: prevention. Taking simple hygienic and sanitary preventive measures can help avoid the same. Drinking water that is boiled, cooled, stored in hygienic vessels which are washed and cleaned daily; washing our hands every time before and after a meal and after defaecation with a clean soap; eating food that is freshly cooked; cooking food at a high temperature so that all the pathogens are killed; avoiding eating stale food or food that has been stored for a long time; ensuring meat is well cooked; covering yet to be consumed food with a lid to avoid pest infestation; avoiding eating raw vegetables or fruits without washing them properly; avoiding eating or drinking food from roadside vendors; using proper toilets for defaecation; washing hands and feet each time after coming from outside; keeping nails clipped and clean; avoiding bathing or washing clothes in open stagnant water etc are some easy ways of prevention. However, if a person ex
periences any of the above mentioned symptoms even after taking all precautionary measures, he must visit the doctor immediately for further treatment.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/watch-your-water/

Manipur to be included in floriculture map of India – KanglaOnline

Manipur to be included in floriculture map of IndiaKanglaOnlineThe Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Central ministry of Commerce and Industry plans to develop a road map of floriculture in states l…

Manipur to be included in floriculture map of India
KanglaOnline
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Central ministry of Commerce and Industry plans to develop a road map of floriculture in states like Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram, …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFwKTUlJFG2d9c-zfLFSaWRwrhpxw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=EbO7U4n_Ns2n8QHvr4HQAQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/manipur-to-be-included-in-floriculture-map-of-india/

32 dissident MLAs challenge Ibobi’s cabinet, sign MoU

IMPHAL, July 5: The growing storm of dissidence in the Congress government has led to the signing of a ‘deed of understanding’ by 32 MLAs to oust the present cabinet

IMPHAL, July 5: The growing storm of dissidence in the Congress government has led to the signing of a ‘deed of understanding’ by 32 MLAs to oust the present cabinet ministers under the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

The MLAs have challenged the authority of Okram Ibobi Singh openly today with the signing of the MoU.

The mentioned elected members of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly gathered at Lamlai this evening at the residence of MLA Kshetrimayum Biren Singh.

After a detailed conversation among the dissidents, a ‘draft of understanding’ among the 32 MLAs was signed.

The MoU urged the concerned State and Central authorities that there is a much needed change in the State cabinet portfolio barring Ibobi and Gaikhangam.

The MLAs that joined forces in demanding the stance are L Nandakumar Singh, Md Amin Shah, Nongthombam Biren Singh, Ng Bijoy, Rk. Imo, Kh Debendro Singh, Rk Anand, N Loken Singh, M Prithviraj Singh, T Mangibabu Singh, S Bira Singh, K Meghachandra, P Brojen Singh, Md Fazur Rahim, K Ranjit Singh, D Korungthang, Victor Keishing, MK Preshow, Yamthong Haokip, Z Kikhonbou Newmai, Janghemlung Panmei, Chantonlein Amo, Vingzagin Valte, T Manga Vaiphei, TN Haokip, Ginsumnhau, Nemcha Kipgen and Karam Thamarjit Singh.

The mentioned MoU unanimously resolved that all the MLAs shall abide by the resolutions of the meeting held today in order to ‘strengthen the party’ and in the interest of the public of the State.

It was resolved that if any of the MLAs who are mentioned above is victimised or any action is taken in the regard, then all the 32 MLAs shall resign from the membership of the Indian National Congress.

The MLAs will also abstain from participating in the forthcoming Assembly Budget Session which is to commence from July 11.

Interestingly, it was also mentioned in the MoU that the move is not an anti-party movement, but rather for solidarity of the party.

Further, it mentioned that if the CLP leader allocates them berths as ministers, parliamentary secretaries, chairman of statutory bodies, then the MLAs shall unanimously accept the decision made by the leaders, they shall then further work to strengthen the INC and strive for the development of the State. This was mentioned in the MoU which is available with IFP.

It said that a representation urging for the reshuffling was submitted to Okram Ibobi on June 13 last and another to the president of the AICC on June 30.

However, reliable sources said that the dilemma has left Ibobi in a fix as the present ministers are against the initiative of the dissident MLAs and are unlikely to relinquish their ministerships easily.

The matter was taken up with the AICC President by Ibobi and Gaikhangam but it was left unresolved as the AICC high command treated the issue ‘internal debate’ to be settled according to the demands of the situation and in the interest of the Congress party.

It still remains to be seen on how the SPF ultimately tackles the matter.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/32-dissident-mlas-challenge-ibobis-cabinet-sign-mou/

Man held for raping minor, lawyers urged against representing accused

IMPHAL, July 5: A man accused of repeatedly raping a minor has been arrested and a case filed against him, according to local meira paibis of Moirangkhom Loklaobung. The accused

IMPHAL, July 5: A man accused of repeatedly raping a minor has been arrested and a case filed against him, according to local meira paibis of Moirangkhom Loklaobung.

The accused identified as RK Achouba alias Tikendrajit son of (L) Herasana of Moirangkhom Makha Loklaobung is a close relative of the child.

Speaking to the media at the Manipur Press Club, the mother said the last incident of sexual abuse of the child occurred on June 6, 2014.

Local meira paibis while supporting the claim of the woman said the medical report of the five-year-old has confirmed repeated rape.

President of the local meira paibi association said the accused was arrested on June 6 through their initiative, and the medical test of the child was conducted the next day at the Forensic Science Department, RIMS.

However, we were waiting for the medical report to confirm the heinous act, she said.

On inquiry with the concern IO of the case, it has been found that the reports have confirmed repeated sexual abuse, she said.

Now that the crime has been confirmed, the association has decided to help the woman and her child, she said while appealing to the bar associations against representing or helping the accused.

Demanding a speedy trial of the case, she appealed for befitting punishment according to the law of the land.

The accused RK Achouba alias Tikendrajit is presently in judicial custody at Sajiwa Central Jail and will be produced before the court on July 11 under FIR 205(6)2014 imphal police station under section 6 of POSCO act 2012, she said.

The woman and her infant daughter were living at her husband’s home after her husband had left the two alone for another woman some two years back.

Taking advantage of the fact that her husband was not with her, the accused who is a close relative used to frequently beat them, she said.

Since the past few months, her daughter had been complaining of pains in her private parts, she lamented.

The woman who survives by taking up some odd jobs as a daily wage earner said on June 6 there was a marriage ceremony in their courtyard and taking advantage of the excitement in the house, the accused took the child in his room and committed the crime.

She said when she found her daughter behind their residence, she saw tale-tell signs of sexual abuse.

Realising the gravity of the situation, she called out her mother in law and asked the child what has happened to her at which the child pointed her finger at accused, she said.

However, the accused instead dragged them both by their hair from the house, she alleged before adding that hearing the commotion the other neighbours came to her rescue.

Soon she recounted her ordeal to the local meira paibis who had come to intervene, she said.

After a complaint was made by the meira paibis, the accused was arrested by a team of the Imphal Police the same day around 11.50pm she said and added her daughter was taken for medical check-up the next day.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/man-held-for-raping-minor-lawyers-urged-against-representing-accused/

European imposter dupes woman on Facebook

IMPHAL, July 5: Social network sites have become an avenue for cybercrime activities. A woman from Singjamei area of Imphal has been recently duped through the popular social network site,

IMPHAL, July 5: Social network sites have become an avenue for cybercrime activities.

A woman from Singjamei area of Imphal has been recently duped through the popular social network site, Facebook.

Sources inform that the woman is a regular Facebook user.

She was befriended by a man with a fake European name (Facebook profile name). Apparently the friendship between them grew into a relationship.

According to the source, the man had promised the woman to send a gift worth a few hundred Euros. Taking advantage of the growing relationship, the man had requested the woman to bear the shipping charge of the gift, it said.

Sources further said that the woman had agreed to bear the shipping charge. For that she had to deposit an amount of Rs 30, 000 in the name of a fake bank account operated by the same man.

The woman was made to believe that the bank account holder was a close friend of the said man.

On further investigation, the account was found operating with a fake name from the State Bank of India, Kangpokpi branch of Senapati District, it said.

Sources also inform that the woman also has her bank account in the SBI. The fake male friend was not a European, but someone possibly operating from metropolitan cities like Chennai, Banglore and Delhi. It said there has been report of other cases of woman, particularly from the northeast getting duped in the same way.

It may be mentioned that IFP had already reported cybercrimes escalating in the State.

An independent investigation conducted by IFP in May this year had revealed that since the enactment of the IT Act 2000, the concerned Ministry had instructed all the states to draft and submit their own guidelines (IT Act) as per the convenience of the State.

Subsequently, Manipur also drafted its own guideline in 2009 and submitted the same to the concerned Home department. However, the guidelines never saw the daylight with the higher authority failing to give the approval.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/european-imposter-dupes-woman-on-facebook/

Manipur to be included in floriculture map of India

IMPHAL,July 5: As India tries to venture into export oriented floriculture by giving a special focus in its development in the Northeast , the Central department of Commerce has directed

IMPHAL,July 5: As India tries to venture into export oriented floriculture by giving a special focus in its development in the Northeast , the Central department of Commerce has directed that no efforts must be spared in ensuring exports from the Northeast to countries like Japan.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Central ministry of Commerce and Industry plans to develop a road map of floriculture in states like Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram, a highly placed source told IFP.

APEDA held an interactive session on June 19 at the Hotel Gateway Grandeur in Guawhati in this regard.

Commerce and Industry commissioner L Lakher Singh represented the State in the meeting chaired by APEDA chairman Santosh Sarangi in which all the participants contributed their point of views.

The meeting analysed the views of participants. Later, it was agreed in the meeting that all the participating commerce secretaries must considered the road map give their approvals.

The meeting also discussed the ongoing projects under EDF and future project proposals of the states.

In this connection, APEDA asked about the data from the state government official of the North-eastern states.

The State governments of the North-eastern states currently employ the hubs and spoke model which was implemented in 2003-2004 through the Directorate of Horticulture.

APEDA also sought data about the area under cultivation and production of various flower crops grown, information on number of stems produced on a weekly basis in the states and for markets service and average price realised on an annual basis, any quality assessment carried out by the State government extension officers to assist the farms, details of sales channel being followed currently and ideas to enhance current capacity and assistance required.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/manipur-to-be-included-in-floriculture-map-of-india/