Day: November 26, 2012

IMPHAL, Nov 26 UNA : Prison, in modern times, is intended for the twin purpose of penal confinement and also correctional place for reintroducing them as normal persons back to mainstream life. Currently, more than 700 male inmates belonging to various militants groups and criminals involved in drug trafficking, murder, rape etc. are lodged in Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa.
It was the endeavour of the Manipur state Prison authorities led by ADGP MK Das and SP Jails IK Muivah who were taking up an effective correctional measure to reform and rehabilitate the jail inmates so that they can lead a normal mainstream life after they are released from the prison.
With correctional measures in mind, the Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa has, in recent time, undertook several reforms . One of the most successful ones was the introduction of bodybuilding with facilities of a gym donated by RK Biswajit of Animal gym.
More than hundred inmates are visiting the gym daily on shift basis and the result was clearly evident in the much better health of those who visited the gym. It was primarily donated for the rehabilitation of drug users for them to develop good health and have the will power to overcome addiction.
Many have developed very good physique by using the facility at Sajiwa Jail and have vowed never to return to drugs and old bad habits.
Another highly successful reform being taken up in the central jail was the introduction of Yogathon and Prison Smart Course by Art of Living, Imphal Chapter led by Roshni Kumar Sharma. Prison Smart Course was initially started by Kiran Bedi at Tihar Jail in association with the Art of Living.
In Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, batches of about 70 prison inmates at a time were taught in one week module format. This has resulted in healing of physical ailments in the participants and many have attained peace of mind by performing Yoga.
It aims to cover all the 700 prisoners by conducting several courses in the coming months so that it can contribute to both welfare of the prisoner as well their reformation with developing positive mindset which will help them return to normal life after coming out from prison.
IGNOU special study centre has been set up in Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and Imphal and prisoners can take up various correspondence courses. Fees for admission, text books and examinations have all been made free and they can continue to avail the same facility even after coming out from prison.
Smuggling of illegal banned items including mobile phones into the prison has drastically come down due to adopting stringent methods of three tier checking. All prison inmates’ visitors including prison officials and posted security personnel are also thoroughly checked. This has led to detecting and arresting 3 (three) security personnel (VDFs) on two occasions for trying to smuggle in illegal banned items in the prison.
Games facilities such as volleyballs, caroms, chess, ludos etc are also provided as recreational activities besides daily newspapers for the inmates. Vocational training is being given to female prisoners in Manipur Central Jail, Imphal making of detergent, dish wash, incense sticks, cane stools, children toys, embroidery, knitting etc.
Neat haircut, hygiene and overall cleanliness of the rooms and compound has been emphasized to inculcate discipline which will aid in their rehabilitation into the mainstream society after they come out from prison.
Spiritual Counseling works also been carried out by the Counsellors in prisons. Many prisoners mindset have been changed in a positive way due the regular spiritual counseling works carried out at Manipur central Jails, Imphal and Sajiwa Jail.
Members of the Manipur Commission on Women have distributed shawls to women prisoners and NGOs such as Ningol Ministry organized feast for the women prisoners on Ningol Chakkouba.
Aids prevention and assistance to HIV prevention has been carried out by Manipur Aids Control Society MACs and Manipur Network for positive People. They have carried out various awareness program and workshop in the prison and also provided regular assistance to the HIV infected inmates such as in procuring ART medicines and conducting medical tests.
The posted personnel of the Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa and Imphal which consists of jail officials, 3 and 4 IRBs, CDOs, Home Guards MR and VDF have combined morning roll calls on Wednesday and Saturday and combined Shramdhan for promoting the cleanliness and neatness of the jail campus. Recently it also carried out Gandhi Jayenti Cleanliness week in which hundreds of security personals clean up the neighbouring areas outside the jail campus areas.
The effort of the Jail staffs has been appreciated by the Ministry of Home Affair Delhi, which awarded meritorious medals to two staffs of the jail on 2012 Independence Day.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sajiwa-jail-as-reformation-centre/

TAMENGLONG, Nov 26 NNN: The Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur has said it took serious note of the claim made by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) with regard to the land.
The Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) stated that the KSDC claims ‘many traditional Zeliangrong lands’ as theirs.
“We respect the interest of every ethnic group provided the other groups recognize and respect the established historical position of the Naga people. However, this organization took serious note of the claim of the KSDC(Kuki State Demand Committee) which covers many traditional Zeliangrong lands and claim as their lands. We are not against demand for creation of state provided they do not claim/ affect our land. However, we cannot compromise with our land, history and people,” the Zeliangrong Baudi said today.
It then said the Zeliangrongs are peace loving people and we have been settling from time immemorial in this traditional land while others are migrants. “If some migrants come and claim it as their ancestral land and demand Kuki state, then where is locus-standi of demanding that?,” it asks.
The ZB respects every ethnic group as our good neighbor, it added. “But when it comes to land, it belongs to us because our forefathers had owned this ancestral land from time immemorial. And we continue to own it till today. A tenant cannot claim ownership over a rented house because of one having been there for quite some time,” the ZB further added.
It then asks, “We would also like to question both Govt. of India and Govt. of Manipur whether they have plan to concede and create homeland, a state for any migrant groups coming from Myanmar?” “If so, we have apprehension of Bangladeshi Muslims also demanding a separate state one day, who almost outnumbered the indigenous Assamese and other North –East States today.
The Govt. of Manipur seems to be enjoying with the unreasonable demand of the KSDC because the later has been sponsored by the first.
There is no exception to illegal migrants, whether they come from Bangladesh or Myanmar. Both of them are illegal, irrespective of the origin of the state of the domicile. We could like to caution the Govt. of India to be careful when it comes to deal with demand of the state sponsored KSDC,” the Zeliangrong Baudi stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zb-on-demands-of-ksdc/

IMPHAL, Nov 26 NNN : The ground works for the talks between the government and the Kuki militant outfits are underway and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has been informed about this development by the government.
KNO spokesman Seilen Haokip said that the files have been proceeded by the government as part of the ground works for the talks.
“We have been informed by the Manipur government officials that the files have been proceeded and the hectic ground works are underway for the commencement of the talks,” stated the KNO leader. When asked if the officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have intimated directly with the KNO, Seilen Haokip said,” No, we have not been intimated from the MHA officially nor do we have any knowledge of the Central officials visiting Manipur.”
When asked if the KNO is hopeful of the talks, Seilen Haokip said, “Talks are inevitable as we have reached this stage now.”
Meanwhile, Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) said that the Kukis do not claim others’ lands.
When asked about the numerous statements from the Naga organisations pertaining to lands, KSDC leader George Guite said, “We are not claiming other peoples’ lands. Our claims on lands are supported by documentary proofs. It is a historical fact that whatever land we claimed is that of the Kukis. We will never do what is not legitimate.”
George Guite then said that the Kukis avoid any communal approach.
Meanwhile, the KSDC is minutely following the development in connection with the talks between the government and the Kuki militant outfits. “We are closely observing and we are looking forward for talks. We are hopeful of the talks taking place but at the moment we cannot say anything but only to see for some days whether the government is sincere in its approach or not,” said George Guite.
The KSDC had called ‘public blockade’ from Nov 17 evening to press for the talks with the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki militants—KNO and UPF—but suspended its agitation on November 22 following an assurance from the government that the talks would be started after the ongoing Session.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ground-works-on-for-talks-with-kno/