Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 3: Due to stigma and discrimination People Living with HIV are not coming forward to take benefit of various social protection schemes, Dr. Naresh Goel, Deputy Director General (IEC & Mainstreaming and LS) National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said.

He was speaking during the inaugural function of a one day workshop on DACPU led Single Window Model on Social Protection for People living with HIV (PLHIV), Children affected by AIDS (CABA) and Most at Risk Population (MARPs) at the Classic Hotel Imphal today.

This issue needs to address and that is why HIV sensitive social protection is one of the key objectives for National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) phase IV, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bitra George, Country Director, Family Health India (FHI 360) said that there are certain diseases which needs attention beyond medical needs. And HIV is one of such disease that needs social, economic and psychological help, he observed.

He further said that, Most at Risks Population (MARPs) have issues of non-linkages to social protection schemes due to stigma and discrimination. It is for this reason that NACO wants PLHIV, CABA and MARPs to access these schemes at national and state level, he added.

Speaking about accessing social protection schemes, Pradeep Kumar Jha, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society said, that only accessing few schemes like social welfare schemes, rural development schemes and Food Security Act can make huge differences in the lives of PLHIV, CABA and MARPs.

Representatives from all the 9 District AIDS Prevention Control Unit (DAPCU) and one representative from Tripura AIDS Control Society participated the workshop. The workshop was jointly organized by NACO, FHI 360 and UNDP and supported by Manipur State AIDS Control Society.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/workshop-on-dapcu-led-single-window-model-held/

IMPHAL, November 3: The JAC formed in connection with the alleged killing of Md Hashmad Ali Keirao today submitted the deputy Chief Minister its detailed report on the incident which allegedly led to Ali’s death.

It further demanded action against the involved culprits who are yet to be arrested.

The JAC today convened a public meeting at the Keirao KMYC ground this morning and adopted some resolutions.

According to the JAC convenor Md Rajaoddin, after the meeting, the JAC submit the resolutions in the form of a memorandum to the deputy Chief Minister who is also the Home minister this morning, the SP Imphal East and OC Irilbung.

The JAC also took out a public rally till Irilbung PS to submit the memorandum.

In its memorandum, the JAC has claimed that all allegations made on the deceased Md Hashmad are totally baseless and unfounded and that he was a professional teacher, and that the allegation of Md Hashmad stealing a calf is really unfortunate, he said.

The memorandum said although the owner of the calf has pointed three persons allegedly involved in the incident, the Irilbung Police is unable to make any arrest which the JAC takes seriously, he said.

The JAC has also warned to take further action jointly with organisations of Uchekon, Kongba, Keirao localities if the government fails to take proper action.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/jac-claims-mob-assault-victim-to-be-innocent/

KANGPOKPI, November 3: The demand for a full-fledged Sadar Hills District is not based on the principles of justice for all and laws of nations while it will only reopen the wounds of the past and will become a thorn in the flesh of our solidarity movement remarked All Naga Students’ Association Manipur.

Seth Shatsang, president ANSAM said in a press communiqué that creation of a full-fledged Sadar Hills District is not a political solution and the political future of our Kuki brothers and sisters while adding that the need of the hour is to focus on strengthening and solidifying our solidarity movement for our common future.

He also reminded the Government of Manipur of the various Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between ANSAM, NSF (Naga Students’ Federation), and other Naga organizations in 1981, 1992, 1996 and 1998 with regard to the creation of a full-fledged Sardar Hills District while warning that abrogation of the MoUs will be viewed with all seriousness and as a continuing ploy of the State to weaken the indigenous/tribal organizations and communities’ solidarity.

He asserted that true healing of past wounds could occur only in a genuine solidarity movement firmly grounded on universal principles of human rights and humanity while adding that reverting to positions and demands that are fragmented and not based on democratic principles and of justice for all will not deliver us from the cycle of conflict sustained by the State.

Seth Shatsang also said that the passing of the three legally flawed and controversial Bills¯the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015; Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015; and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015) provided a good reason for the indigenous/tribal peoples of Manipur to come together and stand up for their immediate cause.

The Bills are bias and not motivated by universal human rights and democratic principles and it is for this reason that the indigenous/tribal peoples in Manipur arose in solidarity for their just cause, he added.

He further said that the indigenous/tribal organizations and communities have emerged as having the capacity to unite for a right cause.

However, one must not forget that having come together is only the beginning of a journey to address the historically rooted injustices and a search for peaceful co-existence firmly founded on a vision for just-peace, Seth Shatsang added.

He continued that coming together of indigenous/tribal peoples in Manipur must translate into a solidarity movement guided by their quest for truth and justice while adding that no movement can solidify overnight and no movement can withstand divisive forces of a state if it is not driven by their thirst for truth and justice.

He also said that a solidarity movement can only emerge victorious if it is clear of the principles it must be founded upon and added that it is only then that a solidarity movement will be able to establish a mutually acceptable fair terms of political and social cooperation.

He continued that it is only through a solidarity movement that one can build up common sympathies and begin to truly share their pains and pride, or even regrets together and transform their histories of conflict into one of mutual understanding and social and political cooperation.

All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) also appeals to all the indigenous/tribal organizations and communities to be vigilant of the divisive forces and be conscious of the basis for a solidarity movement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/sadar-hills-demand-will-resurrect-the-past-wounds-says-ansam/

KANGPOKPI, November 3: The Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kukis, met the signatory of Naga Peace Accord RN Ravi, who is also the Interlocutor of Indo-Naga Peace Talks at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong Imphal today.

A four member delegate of KIM including its president Thangkhosei Haokip, general secretary Khaimang Chongloi, speaker Ch Ajang Khongsai and RT Akhel, president Aimol Tribe Union spent nearly an hour to apprised RN Ravi of various Kuki issues including the state of mind of Kuki people over the Naga Peace Accord and political dialogue with KNO and UPF.

Khaimang Chongloi said that we once again clearly informed RN Ravi about the standpoint of Kuki people over Naga Peace Accord and reminded him of our earlier representations to the Prime Minister and Home Ministry as well as highlighted our meeting with him recently at Sadar Patel Bhavan, New Delhi on August 20.

“There is no change in our standpoint over Naga Peace Accord and it remains the same”, said Khaimang Chongloi.

We also highlighted the compelling assimilation of Aimol community into Naga Community by the NSCN-IM and the recent kidnapping of one Aimol and Baite man by the NSCN-IM whose whereabouts is still unknown said Khaimang Chongloi.

KIM also underlined the forceful adaptation of four Aimol villages by NSCN-IM in full combat dress and sophisticated weapon thereby rendering untold misery like unbearable demand to the people and condemned the same in the strongest term he said.

We also pleaded RN Ravi for immediate intervention of the Centre for the safe release of the two victims added Khaimang Chongloi.

He further said according to the Haipi Declaration No 5 clause (a) and (b) we had mailed representation to the Centre about KIM’s directive to KNO and UPF to abrogated SoO if the Centre failed to hold political dialogue on or before October 31 while probing about the KIM representation to RN Ravi.

We also told RN Ravi that since the deadline set for the Centre to hold political dialogue with KNO and UPF had passed we have contemplated to take up an extreme form of agitation.

KIM also asked RN Ravi as to why the Centre has failed to expedite political dialogue with KNO and UPF even after the State government had recommended for appointment of Interlocutor and holding political talks with the KNO and UPF?, Khaimang added.

However, RN Ravi responded that on account of the ongoing intense campaign for Bihar election the process of political talks with KNO and UPF has been delayed said Khaimang Chongloi.

RN Ravi also assured us that since the election campaign program at Bihar have been culminated today political dialogue with KNO and UPF could have taken place within a few days, added Khaimang Chongloi.

Nevertheless, we warn the Centre government of intense agitation by the Kuki people if it fails to appoint an interlocutor and initiate political talks with KNO and UPF at the earliest, Khaimang Chongloi added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/kim-apprises-centres-interlocutor-of-kukis-stand-on-peace-accord/