`Women bear brunt of underdevelopment`

IMPHAL, Dec 10: The chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), Dr. Ch. Jamini Devi has said that underdevelopment is a stumbling block in the path of women`s empowerment in the state of Manipur.

She made this statement while addressing the gathering at the third foundation day of the Manipur State Commission for Women held today at Lamphelpat.

Speaking at the function, Jamini further made the observation that the women of Manipur are deprived of their primary rights despite of continuous efforts made by the commission to eradicate this social stigma.

She also stated that the commission exists only for examining cases and making recommendations to the concerned authority for effective implementation of women`s rights. She also said justice can be delivered only through law courts.

Appealing people to render cooperation and support to the commission for working effectively for the real cause of the oppressed women in the society, Jamini call for strengthening the functions of MSCW.

Member of MSCW, L. Gangte also stated that the commission has been working endlessly for the upliftment of the status of women in the state for the last three years and it will try to resolve every problem of women in the years to come.

Women should try to be self-reliant and shall avoid too much dependence on their male counterparts, she observed adding women should move forward to join the revolution for a new society free from gender biases.

The foundation day was also attended by Laaljan Begum, member MSCW, Jodhachandra Sanasam and other women rights activists of the state.

'75% of 'encounter' victims in Manipur were newly married men'

Imphal, December 10 2009: Magisterial Inquiry must invariably be held in all cases of dead which occur in the course of police action, rights activists demanded speaking at the observation functions of the International Human Rights Day which many NGOs observed across the state Thursday like in other parts of the globe.

Holding of seminars, discussions on the ending the conflict situation in the state which resulted in the large scale violation of human rights, reading out of message of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on the occasion and statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay marked the observation functions.

The structural violence emerging out of the creation of social and political structures that had deprived the rights of indigenous people of Manipur in terms of safety, respect, participation, economy, identity and culture, considered to be the base for the existing conflict, some suggest.

The controversial merger agreement and imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) were also observed as origin of the conflict situation in the state which put Manipur into a trouble state.

Executive director of Human Rights Initiative, Manipur, Lc Jinine Meetei in his key note address to an observation function at State Guest House, Imphal observed that from late 2005 onwards, Manipur undergoes increasing volume of alleged encounter deaths particularly by combined force of government armed/paramilitary forces and Manipur police commandos.

In the year 2008, 303 persons and in the year 2009 till November 262 persons were killed, he counted observing that about 85 percent of killed persons were of the age ranging from 16 to 30 years boys and newly married men.

Based on the survey report of the Human Rights Initiative, Manipur, 75 percent of the victims of encounter are recently married to and young fathers, leaving one kid or two.

"Most of their survived children are of aged about 6 months to 6 years, many a married wives are survived getting pregnant at the time their husbands are killed," he said.

The government of India and Manipur infringes the civil and political rights as well as the economic, social and cultural rights mentioned in Universal Declaration of Human Rights on many occasions, he alleged.

Over and above, destruction of evidence of the encounter deaths/extrajudicial executions due to improper deposition of the dead bodies in the Regional Institution of Medical Sciences (RIMS) mortuary, the autopsy procedure that is noncompliance with the custodial killings, quick disposed off the body, non-conduction of forensic examination, etc. have been questioned in his speech.

6 persons honoured with awards & fellowships Governor calls for preservation of culture

Imphal, December 09 2009: Manipur State Kala Akademi today presented Akademi awards 2008 to 16 distinguished personalities in the fields of art, culture and literature at a solemn function held at Kangla hall here.

State Governor, Gurbachan Jagat graced the function as chief guest.

Akademi fellowships were conferred on Ningthemmayum ongbi Mangi Shija and Dr Moirangthem Kriti, while Manipur State Kala Akademi awards (dance) for the year 2008 were conferred on Nongthonbam Amusana and Lukram Manglembi, Kshetrimayum Godhador and Ngangom Ngoubi (music).

Theatre award went to Ningombam Jadumani, Shumang Leala award to Nandeibam Iboyaima, Khongjom Parba to Maibam Tomba, folk music to Pukhrambam Ningol Thoinu, Thang-ta to Sanjenbam Yaima, Tribal culture to Darenglian Aimol and Lanthunglan Guite, literature award to Kshetrimayum Bira and fine art to Khundongbam Ojit and Vareimi Shinglai.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat presenting Akademi award to a distinguished personality, Commissioner, Art and Culture, P Bharat looks on

The award carries cash amount of Rs 7000, a citation and a shawl each.

Commissioner (Art & Culture) P Bhorot presided over the fellowship and award distribution function.

Delivering his address as chief guest, Governor, Gurbachan Jagat lauded the effort of the Akademi to present awards and fellows to the people working in the fields of dance, music, theatre, shumang leela, other forms of art, thang-ta, literature, tribal culture and fine arts in recognition to their outstanding services in their respective fields.

"Art and culture is a unifying force and a catalyst to bring peace and harmony amongst the people, which is required most today in a society like ours," the Governor observed stressing the need for preservation and promotion.

The effort of the Akademy will help a lot in preserving and promoting the rare and unique cultural heritage of the state apart from encouraging the efforts of individual scholars and artistes.

"No doubt, such efforts of the Akademi have become significant and provided requisite recognition to the outstanding scholars and artistes, for which, I complement the MSKA," Gurbachan.

The Governor also praised the Akademi on knowing that 348 awards in different in different fields of arts and culture by the Akademi and honoured 64 persons as fellows, receiving national Akademi awards by 54 personality of the state by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.

Fifty-three Manipuri writers have so been honoured with Sahitya Akademi Awards including 19 for translation works by the Sahitya Akademi New Delhi and one with Lalit Akademi, he revealed expressing proud of these achievements.

Manipur is in fact recognized in not only in India but also in other parts of the world by its rich cultural heritage.

The state of Manipur and its people have been identified by its distinct and rich cultural tradition, the governor said.

Manipur set for facelift

Guwahati/Imphal, Dec. 9: With the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) awarding the 2nd National Youth Games to Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) in 2011, Imphal is all set to build new infrastructure to accommodate some new disciplines.

Confirming that the Games were awarded to Manipur during the IOA annual general meeting in New Delhi vide a unanimous resolution on Monday, MOA general secretary L. Manglem said the dates were yet to be fixed but Imphal was ready to host the mega event.

The 1st National Youth Games, awarded to Bangalore, which would see nearly 6,000 athletes in the under-18 age group from all over India rubbing shoulders, is yet to be held.

Altogether 32 disciplines, including a few Asian Games disciplines like sepak takraw, wushu and Commonwealth Games disciplines like lawn bowls will be held.

“We have our infrastructure ready from the 5th National Games held in Imphal in 1999. What we need now is creation of some new infrastructure to accommodate the new Olympic charter disciplines like lawn bowls and more indoor stadiums to accommodate certain disciplines like handball and sepak takraw, among others, which have been shifted indoors nowadays. I think we have enough time to develop the infrastructure,” Manglem told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi.

Referring to the accommodation of the players and the technical officials, he said they could be accommodated at the National Games Village at Langol. The IOA officials could be given rooms at luxury hotels in Imphal, he added.

“Besides, our Olympic Bhawan, which is being constructed, will also be ready by next year. It will have enough VIP accommodation facilities,” Manglem added.

The Olympic Bhawan at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.82 crore and is set to be completed in March next year.

Manipur Human Rights Commission on Ukhrul firing

Imphal | December 9 : Demanding the facts of the alleged indiscriminate firing by the 34 Assam Rifles E. Company in the evening of December 4 at Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district, Manipur, Ng. Nongyai and S. Gourachand Singh, members of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday set a deadline to produce the reports of the enquiry by December 21.
It was demanded following the filing of complaint to the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) by the Kasom Khullen Sub-Division Development Association (KKSDDA), Ukhrul district.
It is worth mentioning that the incident took place in the evening of December 4 at Lungtorum/Khorupok village under Kasom Khullen police station leaving atleast two persons injured and several houses and buildings of the village damaged. The firing reportedly lasted till the morning of December 5.
While submitting the statement by the KKSDDA to the MHRC, it included the list of demands of providing of deserving compensation to the victims who were injured in the incident, to provide compensation for the damaged houses, building, to take up action against the guilty 34 AR E. Company personnel and to provide remedial measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. It also demanded to conduct spot enquiry at the earliest.
The KKSDDA also mentioned in the statement the damages caused by the 34 AR in the firing which included a primary school teacher’s quarter, a community hall, a guest house, an Anganwadi centre, a weaving centre, a pastor quarter, a church building and seven houses of the villages.

Colleagues continue sit-in to free engineer

File picture of meira paibis at a sit-in against the abduction of Manipur public health engineering department executive engineer Laishram Dhaballo in Imphal Imphal, Dec. 8: Functioning of the Manipur public health engineering department was affected for the second consecutive day today as the employees continued their sit-in demanding release of the their colleague abducted by a militant group a few days back. Laishram Dhaballo, an executive engineer of the department, was abducted on Saturday and the next day a militant group claimed responsibility over phone through a department official. The outfit is yet to disclose its motive to the department or the family of the hostage. The employees’ coordination committee, however, believes that the abduction has something to do with the department. Even if the officials of the department know the reason for the abduction they are not disclosing it to the media. Demanding the release of their colleague, the employees of the department suspended work and launched a sit-in at the gate of the head office at Khoyathong of Imphal city. The secretary of the coordination committee, N. Nanao reiterated the demand for the safe release of the hostage. He said the sit-in would continue until Dhaballo was released. Dhaballo’s family has also been mounting pressure on the department to secure the release of the engineer, an official source said. He added that efforts were on to establish contact with the abductors. Suspected militants also exploded a hand grenade last evening at the residence of Sanasam Lokendro Singh at Thongju in Imphal East. Singh is an assistant engineer of the same department. Police said no one was injured in the explosion and they could not say which group was responsible for the attack. The police had also recovered an unexploded hand grenade from the gate of the engineer’s residence on December 2. They said it was probably kept there to threaten the engineer. The family members and neighbours of the engineer were planning to stage a sit-in at the village today against the grenade attack, but it was postponed in view of a religious programme at the locality today.

RPF calls for stronger movement

Imphal, December 08 2009: Pointing out the ineffectiveness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, in Manipur, the anniversary of which is observed as International Human Rights Day every year across the world, the Revolutionary People's Front has called upon the people of Manipur to launch a stronger and more determined movement to secure collective rights of the people and also the right to self determination, guaranteed by the same declaration.

A statement issued by the RPF's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba asserted that in a place like Manipur reeling under alien rule, both armed and unarmed movements are necessary to secure the rights of the subjugated people.

In general, each country guarantees certain rights in addition to the rights guaranteed by the UN to peoples of its member countries so that peoples can live freely and stride towards collective development.

Moreover, there are two generally accepted concepts known as international human rights and international humanitarian laws which are closely inter-linked.

These two concepts were clearly defined by the Geneva Convention and other additional protocols.

As the liberation movement of Manipur is very much active, the people of Manipur need protection under both the national laws and international laws.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the national laws of each country guarantee several rights to the people which are broadly classified as individual and collective rights.

Individual rights encompass right to free movement, settlement, right to speech, right to form associations, right to equality, right to education, freedom of professing religion of one's choice, freedom from exploitation etc.

But in Manipur which is allegedly reeling under alien rule, all these beautiful provisions and clauses are meaningless.

There is no let up in fake encounters even in public places in broad daylight in this land where many draconian laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act are in force.

Because of these reasons, the people of Manipur need to make stronger vows and take firmer positions every time they observe December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

Only then, the road to securing the rights guaranteed by the UN can be shortened.

As political and economic freedom can be achieved only when the Nation gains sovereignty, development pace can also be accelerated when sovereignty is realised.

This is supported by the UN General Assembly Declaration of 1948 and ICESCR and ICCPR Covenants of 1966 .

The same declaration was incorporated in the UN General Assembly Resolution 2200 A (XXII) passed in December 16, 1966 .

Compelled by this resolution, Indian Parliament passed the Human Rights Bill but much later on December 22, 1993 paving way for establishment of human rights commission in the country.

After a prolonged delay, the Government of India ratified the international convention against terror under cruel inhuman or degrading punishment on October 14, 1997 .

Even as India is also a signatory to most international covenants for safeguarding human rights, all kinds of human rights violations are being witnessed in Manipur, the outfit alleged.

Conveniently overlooking the fact that wars too have rules and limits, security forces have been acting as instruments of fake encounters, rape, involuntary disappearance, torture and detention of even aged democratic protesters under NSA.

The Government of India has also been persistently scheming to project the liberation movement of Manipuri people as terrorism, the outfit asserted.

Nevertheless, the liberation movement would rage on without any interruption because the origin and cause of the liberation movement is accepted by international laws and supported by the international community, the RPF claimed.

It further asserted that the liberation movement of Manipur is a political struggle based on clear ideology besides enjoying mass base.

At present, AFSPA is not enforced in some segments of Imphal but more people are killed in these areas.

This means the foremost priority is complete independence.

Only a forceful and massive movement can secure sovereignty of Manipur otherwise all international laws and rights will remain useless documents for the Manipuri Nation, the RPF asserted.

KLA washes hands off twin killings

Imphal, December 08 2009: Clarifying that KLA is not responsible for the killing of Hemang Taothang alias Mamang and Hemang alias Tiger at B Vengnoum in Churachandpur in the evening of December 5, information and publicity secretary of the armed outfit Armstrong Gangte has asserted that the two persons were killed by KNO/KNA.

Talking to mediapersons somewhere in Ukhrul district today, Armstrong Gangte said that on that fateful day Hemang Taothang alias Mamang and Hemang alias Tiger have gone to get something from B Vengnoum in Churachandpur when they were abducted and killed by armed cadres of KNO/KNA.

So that claim in newspapers that the two persons were killed by KNO/KLA was baseless, he added.

Informing that B Vengnoum is a stronghold of KNO/KNA, Armstrong reiterated that since KLA has left KNO and joined UPF, there is no such organisation called KNO/KLA anymore.

He further said that since KNO/KNA has been playing divide and rule policy among smaller ethnic Kuki groups, it could never be recognised as a national organisation of the Kukis.

It was KNO/KNA which encourages formation of ZRF and provides asylum.

But with the growth of ZRF, KNO/KNA plays its divide and rule and break up ZRF.

After this, KNO/KNA patronises ZDV but shot dead general secretary cum finance secretary of ZRF Abraham Jou in connivance with his bodyguard, Armstrong alleged.

Not happy with the conduct of KNO/KNA and its ideology, ZDV has also joined UPF.

KNA has also broke apart KLA group under KNO into two as Touthang group and Doungel group which has subsequently led to the formation of KRF.

It is because of such unwanted activities of KNO/KNA that KLA parted from KNO and joined with UPF, Armstrong reiterated, while calling upon the civil organisations not to be confused over the issue.

Furthermore, Armstrong alleged that killing of four persons by MLI at Mongkot Chepu on September 7 was at the behest of KNO/KNA.

So the demand for ex-gratia from the Government is not acceptable nor KLA would take it.

However, he appealed to all the authorities concerned to hand over the six arms seized to the custody of KLA which is under the fold of UPF.

KNO/KNA has been encouraging bloodshed in Kuki society and as a result has lost captain Touthang, Soson Touthang, Jilngam Touthang, Paolen Touthang, Goulen Touthang, Jangthang Touthang, Tongam Touthang, Khaithang Touthang, Yangam Touthang and Khailum Touthang, Armstrong said, adding that KLA does not like the bloodshed policy and programme of KNO/KNA under the guise of Zalengam movement and hence joined UPF.

Since KLA is an organisation under UPF now, Joint Monitoring Group of SoO ensure necessary benefits to the KLA as well, Armstrong pleaded.

Farmers' Club Products Exhibition on

Imphal, December 07 2009: For the first time in Manipur, a farmers' club products, an exhibition cum sale of various vegetable products and plants, which would go on for 7 days, has begun from today at GM Hall here.

Facilitated by People's Development Society, the event is being organised by Manipur Rural Bank under the sponsorship of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

In all 37 stalls are participating in the exhibition displaying various vegetables and plants.

Inaugural function of the exhibition was attended by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy Singh as chief guest and MLA S Kunjakishore Singh as president.

Officer in-charge RO Manipur of NABARD AB Das, Programme Co-ordinator of KVK Thoubal Dr Okram Nobo Singh and Senior Manager of Manipur Rural Bank AB Sharma were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

Delivering the key note address, secretary of People's Development Society Thokchom Birmangol pointed out that as their no food security in Manipur, farmers should be encouraged in their activities.

He also informed that knowledge of various new techniques would be imparted to the farmers during the exhibition.