Day: November 6, 2012

New Delhi, Nov 6 NNN: Thirteen organisations carried out a day long fast and ‘satygraha’ in New Delhi demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA). They also jointly submitted a lengthy memorandum to the President of India for repealing the Act. The fasting programme was held at Rajghat, New Delhi.
The thirteen organisations are Yuva Bharat, Rastra Nirman Abhiyan Sarv Seva Sangh, Azadi Bachao Andolan, Campaign for Peace & Democracy of Manipur, Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan Peoples Forum, Socialist Yuvjan Sabha,Kangla Group, Manipur Students?ssociation Delhi, Human Rights Alert, Just Peace Foundation, European Manipuri Association (EMA) London, UK, PUDR / CDRO and Lok Raj Sangathan.
Extending solidarity to hunger striker Irom Sharmila who has completed 12 years of fast demanding the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), members of Extra Judicial Execution Victims Family Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) along with Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) today observed a day-long fast starting from 10 am to 4 pm at the SAKAL’s office located at Porompat, Imphal East district.
The hunger strike protest was part of its 5-day long campaign which ended today. It was held under the aegis of Just Peace Foundation (JPF) demanding for withdrawal of AFSPA from the State.
Speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the protest, Neena Ningombam, secretary general of EEVFAM stated that Central government’s approach to Sharmila’s unrelenting hunger strike is unfortunate and condemnable adding that the matter should be taken into serious account knowing the sentiments of the people of the State.
She further lamented that the Central government’s negligence on the matter is due to lack of political will power and unsubstantiated endeavours shown by the representatives of the 60 constituencies of the State informing that the organization, EEVFAM, formed by the family members of those victims killed in extra judicial execution came into existence due to AFSPA implementation in the State.
“As long as there is Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the State, the number of widows will increase and more victims’ families will come out to fight the draconian act. So, it is necessary to withdraw the act from the State immediately “, she added.
Meanwhile, reports stated that a one-day long hunger strike protest was also conducted at Gandhi Samadhi, Delhi today organized by Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi (MASAD) in collaboration with other civil society organizations of Delhi demanding for withdrawal of AFSPA from the State of Manipur.
Another similar one-day fast protest was also held today at Kapaar Kachoung Orphanage located at Hengsin Village, Chandel district as a mark of showing solidarity to Irom Sharmila. It was organized by the members of the orphanage in collaboration with Just Peace Foundation (JPF). A film titled “AFSPA-1958” was also screened during the protest.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mass-protest-against-afspa-in-delhi/

Kanpur, Nov 6 ANI : A school in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur city has made wearing of veils and scarves mandatory, other than banning mobile phones by students, leaving the National Commission on Women fuming over this diktat.
Set up on the roadside, the Muslim Jubilee Girls’ Inter-College in Kanpur city is an easy site to spot with veiled students wearing backpacks huddling in groups as they briskly make their way to school.
With no lines of worry or regret, the school management has openly justified its decision by stating that the diktat is in accordance to Islamic culture, while boasting that parents of the students have not complained whatsoever.
“The scarf is a part of the children’s uniform, the younger girls will tie scarves on their heads and not their faces. This is not threatening their freedom rather it is a part of their personality. Our older students mostly wear veils,” said Kamal Shayini, school principal.
She also said that mobile phones would hamper the studies of the student, hence justifying the ban.
With the school management making it clear that disobeying the directive would lead to immediate expulsion, students at the all girls Muslim school seem to have already accepted the diktat, some of whom were seen following the instructions.
All students have not welcomed the diktat, some feel it is an infringement of their rights and a basic orthodox way to ban access the benefits of technology.
Another student, who wishes to rebel against the school management, said wearing scarves was still acceptable but banning of mobile phones was objectionable in the times of rising crime especially against women.
Many educational institutions in India do not allow students to don a burqa (veil), which on several occasions have fuelled debates on relevance of traditional Islamic culture in modern times.
Meanwhile, the reports of the diktat have left the National Commission for Women (NCW) fuming, which is now demanding the state government to step in.
Chairperson for NCW Mamta Sharma demanded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to immediately take concrete steps in protecting rights and freedom of women in the state.
“Why is the government in slumber? Why is it not taking any action in this matter? The government needs to derecognise the school and instruct it accordingly against the diktat-ordering students to cover their faces and not use mobile phones. I think the government is at fault. The government should shut down such schools,” said Sharma.
Diktats by religious or rural bodies curtailing freedom of women or gender-biased directives over usage of mobile phones etc. are not new in India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ncw-fumes-at-kanpur-schools-diktat-making-veils-scarves-mandatory/

New Delhi, November 6, 2012: The dense smog which had been throttling Delhi for the past few days has lifted partially today, but it may come back with renewed vigour, as the factors causing it remain in force – says Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
CSE has reviewed the magnitude and severity of the smog. Its researchers believe that while every winter, the calm and cool weather leads to a heavier pollution load on Delhi, this year, the capital is seeing a massive growth in actual pollution levels. The levels of respirable particulate matter (PM10) have surged 47 per cent — from 191 microgramme per cubic metre in 2000 to 281 microgramme per cubic metre in 2011. In the same period, nitrogen dioxide levels have increased from 41.8 microgramme per cubic metre to 66 microgramme per cubic metre (a 57 per cent jump).
This hike in pollution levels has led to the creation of the deadly smog. Says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of the air pollution and transportation programme at CSE: “Unfortunately, despite the scary hard facts about the elevated cocktail of pollution and health risks, the problem is being dismissed as a mere weather phenomenon. In other parts of the world, governments issue warnings and take pollution emergency measures during such severe pollution episodes to protect public health. But we are doing nothing.”
Delhi localities are in grip of multi-pollutant crisis: Particulate matter is not the only thing choking us — nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and benzene levels are playing havoc as well, as per official monitoring. Some of these pollutants come predominantly from vehicles.
Killer particles: PM2.5 levels are exceeding the standard by 4-6 times. An increase of only 10 microgramme per cubic metre in PM2.5 is associated with significant increases in health risks. High exposure is known to lead to increased hospitalisation for asthma, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and heart damage. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer.
High NOx: NO2 levels are exceeding standards in areas like Mandir Marg, Civil Lines and R K Puram. Levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been increasing in the city — a clear sign of pollution from vehicles. NO2 can trigger serious respiratory condition and sudden death syndrome among infants.Ozone, the new threat: Eight-hourly ozone levels show slight increases over time – they exceed the standards almost on a daily basis in a few locations. Ozone is not directly emitted by any source but is created from reaction between NOx and the volatile organic compounds in the air under the influence of sunlight.
Pollution correlates with peak traffic hours and freight movement: Data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee in different localities shows that pollution levels go up significantly during peak traffic hours compared to off-peak hours. For instance:
· In R K Puram, Mandir marg and Civil Lines, both PM2.5 and NOx concentrations are high during peak hours.
· Pollution levels are extremely high in Anand Vihar which witnesses very heavy traffic due to a lot of inter-state movement of vehicles.
· In Civil Lines, PM2.5 levels are very high even during night; this could be due to the movement of goods traffic

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cse-warns-delhi-do-not-dismiss-winter-smog-as-an-act-of-god/

New Delhi, November 6, 2012: The dense smog which had been throttling Delhi for the past few days has lifted partially today, but it may come back with renewed vigour, as the factors causing it remain in force – says Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
CSE has reviewed the magnitude and severity of the smog. Its researchers believe that while every winter, the calm and cool weather leads to a heavier pollution load on Delhi, this year, the capital is seeing a massive growth in actual pollution levels. The levels of respirable particulate matter (PM10) have surged 47 per cent — from 191 microgramme per cubic metre in 2000 to 281 microgramme per cubic metre in 2011. In the same period, nitrogen dioxide levels have increased from 41.8 microgramme per cubic metre to 66 microgramme per cubic metre (a 57 per cent jump).
This hike in pollution levels has led to the creation of the deadly smog. Says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director in charge of the air pollution and transportation programme at CSE: “Unfortunately, despite the scary hard facts about the elevated cocktail of pollution and health risks, the problem is being dismissed as a mere weather phenomenon. In other parts of the world, governments issue warnings and take pollution emergency measures during such severe pollution episodes to protect public health. But we are doing nothing.”
Delhi localities are in grip of multi-pollutant crisis: Particulate matter is not the only thing choking us — nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and benzene levels are playing havoc as well, as per official monitoring. Some of these pollutants come predominantly from vehicles.
Killer particles: PM2.5 levels are exceeding the standard by 4-6 times. An increase of only 10 microgramme per cubic metre in PM2.5 is associated with significant increases in health risks. High exposure is known to lead to increased hospitalisation for asthma, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and heart damage. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer.
High NOx: NO2 levels are exceeding standards in areas like Mandir Marg, Civil Lines and R K Puram. Levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been increasing in the city — a clear sign of pollution from vehicles. NO2 can trigger serious respiratory condition and sudden death syndrome among infants.Ozone, the new threat: Eight-hourly ozone levels show slight increases over time – they exceed the standards almost on a daily basis in a few locations. Ozone is not directly emitted by any source but is created from reaction between NOx and the volatile organic compounds in the air under the influence of sunlight.
Pollution correlates with peak traffic hours and freight movement: Data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee in different localities shows that pollution levels go up significantly during peak traffic hours compared to off-peak hours. For instance:
· In R K Puram, Mandir marg and Civil Lines, both PM2.5 and NOx concentrations are high during peak hours.
· Pollution levels are extremely high in Anand Vihar which witnesses very heavy traffic due to a lot of inter-state movement of vehicles.
· In Civil Lines, PM2.5 levels are very high even during night; this could be due to the movement of goods traffic

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cse-warns-delhi-do-not-dismiss-winter-smog-as-an-act-of-god/