Month: December 2013

IMPHAL, December 2: More than hundred activists and journalists participated in the State Level Seminar on Armed Forces Special Powers Act” Nation`s People`s and Women`s Security” at the Tamil Sangam Hall in Puducherry today.

The seminar is being organised by the India Social Action Forum (INSAF).

Prof A Marx of the People`s Union for Human Rights chaired the seminar and gave a detailed background on the genesis of AFSPA and the people`s struggle demanding repealing the Act.

RN Ravi, retd Director of IB for the North East while elaborating on why AFSPA is an Act of war said when applied in the “disturbed areas”, it in fact treats the entire population as suspects.

Strongly advocating that the Act has no place in a democracy, he said it is a national shame that after 60 years of independence we are still struggling for its repeal.

He asserted that in 25 years serving as a part of the government he could not change the system.

Heri Tiphagne, chairman of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM ASIA) narrated his experiences of participating in the festival of Hope, Justice and Peace on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Irom Sharmila’s hunger strike in 2010.

He also pointed out how the various UN human rights bodies have consistently recommend the repeal of AFSPA and asserted that if India wants to claim for its rightful place in the world as the champion of human rights and democracy it has to get rid of AFSPA.

Sugumaran convenor of the Federation for People`s Rights Punducheery narrated his experience of being a part of national fact finding mission in the aftermath of the rape and murder of Thangjam Manoram in 2004.   

Babloo Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert asserted that the struggle for the repeal of AFSPA is not an individual struggle of Shramila or for that matter Manipuri people or the people of the North East and J&K.

But it is a struggle for anyone and everyone who cherish the democratic values and oppose militarism, he said. What started as a state of exception in the Naga Hills in the 1950s, has engulfed the whole North East and Jammu and Kashmir over the years, he lamented.

There is already a proxy AFSPA in the naxalite affected red corridor, he said before observing that if we do not reverse this process, the exception will eventually become the rule for the whole country and India will be no different from Pakistan.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/repeal-afspa-echo-reaches-puducherry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=repeal-afspa-echo-reaches-puducherry

THOUBAL, December 2: A one and half year old infant has been found missing from his mother’s bed where he was left sleeping yesterday evening.

Locals launched a massive search for the infant in the locality. The police have also filed a case in this regard.

The infant named Leishemba is the son of Phanjoubam Itoba and Chaobi of Tekcham Bazar under Kakching police and is the youngest of three siblings.

According to family members, the mother runs a hotel at Tekcham Bazar, while the father works as a goldsmith and both were not present at home.

Last evening, around 8.30, Leishemba was playing at his mother’s hotel when his four year old cousin, daughter of his aunt, came and took him along with her, said family members.

Later, he was left sleeping on his mother’s bed. However, when the mother returned at around 7.30 pm she found him missing.

According to the mother, Leishemba wears a silver chain around his neck, silver trinkets on his ankles, gold earrings and a gold amulet around his waist.  

Meanwhile a case has been registered with the police regarding the incident. Soon after hearing the news about the missing child, the locals launched a massive man hunt in the locality.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/infant-stolen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=infant-stolen

IMPHAL, December 1: Manipur today joined the world in observing the World AIDS Day under the global theme of ‘Getting to Zero’.

The Community Network for Empowerment, CoNE and the Manipur State Legal Services Authority jointly observed the World AIDS Day at the former’s conference hall today, under the theme of “Getting to Zero”.

Addressing the observation as the chief guest, member secretary MASLSA Ch Brajachand Singh opined that People Living With HIV/AIDS should be aware of the legal provisions and be in touch with the legal clinics provided by CoNE to avail of the legal benefits.

He further expressed upon the need of those in the rural areas of the state to be aware of the legal provisions.

There are Legal Act Clinics organized under CoNE in six districts of the state with several volunteers helping out, he observed.

The MASLSA member secretary also elaborated on the need for the people to work hand in hand with the NGOs and civil bodies to bring a solution to the issue of HIV/AIDS.

District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East, A Guneshwar Sharma attended as the guest of honour, president CoNE RK Nolikanta attended as the president.

In yet another observation, the Manipur Network of Positive People, MNP+; Social Awareness Service Organisation, SASO; Care Foundation and VIHAAN SCCs also observed the day at the conference hall of Hotel Tampha.

The observation was held under the theme of “Getting to Zero: Zero new infection, zero related death, zero discrimination.”

Asst Professor, ART, Nodal Officer, JNIMS speaking as the guest of honour said that in today’s society, the people are much aware about the issue at hand.

However, awareness alone is not enough; people need to understand how to prevent HIV/AIDS from spreading and what the root causes of transmission are, he added.

He further urged all not to discriminate against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.

PLWAIDS should also be able to provide the needed awareness against the HIV/AIDS to the people especially the youth, he opined.

Imphal West DC, K Radhakumar speaking as the chief guest said there are 4 million PLWAIDS in the world out of which Manipur has 43 thousand.

He said surveys will be completed in the districts where it is yet to be conducted at the earliest.

Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: As in other parts of the world, Bishnupur district also witnessed the World AIDS Day observation at several places.

The District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit, DAPCU, Bishnupur also observed the day at the office campus of the People’s Resource Development Association, PRDA, Bishnupur under the theme “Share Responsibility strengthening for an AIDS free generation.”

Bishnupur DC Jason A Shimray attended the programme as the chief guest while Chief Medical Officer, Bishnupur presided over the function with Medical Superintendent Bishnupur Dr H Babychand attending as  guest of honour.

DC Jason A Shimray lighted the inaugural lamp of the formal function.

Meanwhile, addressing the function as resource person, secretary PRDA L Suranjoy elaborated on the need of the students to understand the issue properly and take a definitive responsibility towards making the future AIDS free.

He continued that the children who were with his office some 15 years are now all grown up.

A girl amongst them expressed that one of her teammates had proposed to her to be his life partner, he said.

Now, the girl is on ART, a fact which the boy is unaware of, he said before adding that it might be an issue.

There are several other such issues, which calls for attention, help and support from all, he observed.

He further urged the DLOs present to give priority to the PLWAIDS in case of any welfare schemes in their departments.

Another resource person of the programme, Senior psychiatrist, District Hospital Bishnupur, Dr Angomcha said even though people are aware of the bad effects of certain habits, they find it hard to give them up and risk their lives.

Unless, people take it upon themselves to change for the better, the issue of HIV/AIDS will only increase, he opined.

Meanwhile, seven institutions of the district- ICTC of District Hospital Bishnupur; CHC, Nambol; CHC, Moirang; PHC, Ningthoukhong; PHC, Kumbi; PPTCTC, District Hospital Bishnupur and ARTC District Hospital Bishnupur and four targeted intervention NGOs- DPU, Kumbi; ESEWOSSA, Moirang, Care Foundation, Nambol; Maruploi Foundation, Bishnupur were honoured and awarded for their works in the field.

The formal function was however, preceded by a rally participated by students of different schools and colleges of the district.

The rally was flagged off by District AIDS Officer, Bishnupur Dr W Purnima and CMO Bishnupur, Dr Ng Hemantakumar from CI College gate.

In another observation of the day, the National Service Scheme of the Royal Academy of Law, Oinam also organized a social service camp.

Around 50 volunteers participated to clean up the campus of the academy during the camp.

As part of the observation, an awareness programme was also held at the conference hall of the same academy with the academy principal, I Jugeshwaor and lecturer M Mina Devi delivering lectures on HIV/AIDS and Law.

The day was also observed at Kamuching Village, Sadar Hills, Saikul Block organized by the Child Care Project, Bridge of Hop, Keithelmanbi of Believers Church.

The observation at held at the Kamuching Independent Baptist Church, with the pastor of the church Jn Mang Kipen and Bridge of Hope, Keithelmanbi project center, project co-ordinator Parhai Yaima Maring as resource persons.

Later in the day a rally was also taken out in the neighbouring areas.

The World AIDS day was also observed at Moreh and the function, jointly organized by various NGOs such as New Generation (NG), Dedicated Peoples’ Union (DPU), Organization of Social Development (SDO) and Organization for Salvation of Man (OSOM) which are working under MACS at Moreh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/state-joins-global-call-for-getting-to-zero-on-world-aids-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=state-joins-global-call-for-getting-to-zero-on-world-aids-day

IMPHAL, December 1: An illustrated book titled ‘Nanao’ was released today at JN Dance Academy.

The book contains ethnic rhymes of the Meitei community based on traditional folklore.

Along with the book, an audio compact disk containing the rhymes was also included in the release of the package.

The function was attended by joint director, Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation, Prof H Bihari as the chief guest.

The director of Social Welfare, I Ibobi was to attend as the chief guest but had differed at the last minute.

MEELAL president , Sadokpam Tomba Meitei was the functional president. The guest of honors included Prof. H Bihari, convenor of Manipur Sahitya Board and renowned lyricist and musicologist, B Jayantakumar Sharma.

As part of the release function, the children who participated in the recording also presented a show for the audience. The other individuals inclusive of illustrative artists and background vocals, editors of the book and other concerned individuals in production was also distributed certificates.

According to Nelson Elangbam, managing director of NE Bros Entertainment Private Ltd  and publisher of the book, his venture is to promote our culture and tradition by imbibing the young generation with our folklore.

This book which is aimed at the pre-school level will foster our traditional children games which are presently disappearing due to globalization.

The chief guest in his speech mentioned that people are starting to ignore their own language as a first language and there is a breakdown of traditional vocabulary.

Our mindset is now more inclined towards a westernized mindset mainly among the teens, some of the younger generation have difficulties pronouncing words.

This is a precarious situation and the need of the hour is again to plant our language to the next generation and prevent further erosion of our cultural dialect. To go about on a practical basis, a proper program can be chalked out after dialectic exercises with knowledgeable persons from diversified fields, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/nanao-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nanao-released

IMPHAL, December 1: A speeding R15 motorcycle knocked down a 55 year old man at Yaishkul Chingakham Leirak yesterday evening.

The man was declared brought dead by doctors at Shija Hospitals, Langol.

Police timed the accident around 5:30 pm on November 30 and identified the victim as Thoudam Iboyaima son of Th Yaishkul of the same locality where the accident occurred.

Meanwhile, in yet another accident related casualty, a man who had been undergoing treatment at the Shija Hospital since November 29 also succumbed last night.

Both dead bodies have been handed over to the respective families after post mortem were conducted at RIMS and JNIMS this noon.

Doctors on duty at the hospital declared Iboyaima brought dead, police said.

The dead body of the Iboyaima has been handed over to the family members after post mortem was conducted at RIMS morgue and the Imphal police Station have taken up a case regarding the accident, the police informed.

Much details on the motor-cycle could not be had till the filing of this report.

In the meantime, a 48 year old who was undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital since November 29 after he was injured in an accident with a two wheeler coming from the different direction at Heigang area under Heigang police station on November 29 succumbed to his injuries yesterday at around 7.30 pm at Shjia Hospital.       

According to the police the deceased person has been identified as Thokchom Leishangkhomba, 42, son of Purnachandra of Laipham Khonou.

The body has been handed over to family members after conducting a post mortem at JNIMS morgue today and Heigang police have taken up a case, informed police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/speeding-motorcycle-runs-over-man/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=speeding-motorcycle-runs-over-man

IMPHAL, December 1: The 100th birth anniversary of Rajkumar Shitaljit Singh was today held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal East. The anniversary was organized by Manipur Shahitya Parishad, Paona Bazaar in association with Manipur State Kala Akademy, Imphal.

The function was graced by Deputy CM Gaikhangam as chief guest, Keishamthong MLA L Ibomcha Singh as guest of honour and E Dinamani Singh, president, Manipur Shahitya Parishad as president respectively.

Delivering his address as chief guest, Deputy CM Gaikhangam said that RK Shitaljit is a well known personality to the people of hill and valley of Manipur. He further added that late Shitaljit is an educationist, journalist, thinker also a successful father.

Elaborating the works and life of the late literary man, Shitaljit’s contribution to the society in the field of literature and culture, and also religion will be a subject of discussion not only for the present generation but also for the future generation, the chief guest mentioned and further continued that this multi faceted personality will be providing light of hope to the people of the society.

At beginning of the function, people were offering floral tribute to the photo of the RK Shitaljit Singh.

Later on, a symposium on the “life and literature of Shitaljit” was organized with Prof N Tombi Singh as moderator and many resource persons were delivering their respective papers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/rk-shitaljits-100th-birth-anniversary-organized/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rk-shitaljits-100th-birth-anniversary-organized