Day: October 5, 2015

IMPHAL, Oct 5: Two persons, Sapam Romesh, father of Sapam Robinhood and Ksh. Saya Devi, a student of Ananda Singh Academy Higher Secondary School, deposed today before the Judicial Inquiry instituted to probe the circumstance of the death of Sapam Robinhood in police action on July 8, 2015.

The Judicial Inquiry is headed by Justice Mutum Binoy Kumar, and today`™s hearing was held at Sanjenthong Guest House.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/robinhood-death-probe/

CCPUR, Oct 5: The reopening of school and other educational institution from today as well as the one extra hour extension of the public curfew as per the decision of the JAC against `anti-tribal bills` did not fully materialise as certain school students opposed the reopening by staging protests in front of their schools, in particular Don Bosco, VK Tona and Rayburn school/college where the protesting students did not allow fellow students to attend classes by blocking the entrance of the respective schools.

At the Vision Academy l, Young Leaner, and Montessori School, those behind the “student movement” told the school authorities to close their institutions saying that when their fellow student`s death bodies are lying unburied in the district hospital morgue, they have no right to start attending normal classes.

The student in some other schools, in particular Sialmat Chtidtism Higher Secondary Schools, also tried to prevent the reopening of their schools but failed as women folks insisted the JAC`s decree, supported by major umbrella student unions of the district like ZSF,HYA and KSO, must be adhered to.

They stood guard at the gate of the schools to ensure normal classes.

In other parts of the town, schools like the L. Foundation Schools of Bungbual, classes were allowed till 12 noon.

Many government schools like Phungkhothang Govt. High School closed proceedings after school assembly, while others like Vimala Raina High school had classes till 11am, though under immense pressures from certain sections of the students to shut school until the matter for which the nine martyrs sacrificed their lives is resolved.

Schools in the Churachandpur district has been shut for the 36th days as on today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/move-to-reopen-schools-in-ccpur-opposed-by-student-groups/

IMPHAL October 5: The decadal Right to Information Week Celebration 2015 was launched today at the MFDC hall with the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as the chief guest and the president of the function.

The programme was organized by the Manipur Information Commission under the leadership of its new Commissioner Th Ibobi Singh. This is the first instance for the Manipur Information Commission to partake in the annual weeklong celebration since its inception in 2006 September.

The event was hosted with sponsorship from Department of Personnel & Training Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension, GoI.

Despite the long list of invitees read out by the host inclusive of both Governmental and Civil bodies the response was very poor clearly indicating the discomfort of the SPIOs in supporting such a radical shift towards transparency and accountability in governance.

The Deputy Chief Minister in his speech talk about the lack of seriousness for such an important learning session and said, `We might be speaking to empty chairs while the stakeholders missed the chance of getting more knowledge through the learned resource persons`

Nevertheless the Chief Minister enthusiastically supported the initiative of the Information Commission office and appeal to all departments and officials to extend support in pursuance of bringing a better more transparent and accountable governance in the State.

It was followed by two technical sessions with eminent resource person Dr Ch Narendra Singh, Advocate whose expertise on the subject flowed as a lively education to the audience on two themes namely `The Historical perspective of RTI`™ and `Right to Information and the Right to be informed`™

He narrates the epistemology of the Act, especially the pressure build by campaigns of civil society organizations and landmark judgments which ultimately resulted in the passing of the RTI Act in 2005. `Such Act was already in place in Scandinavian Countries since 1776` he said.

He said, unfortunately there are very few who dares to ask questions and information since we are still wrapped in the mindset of bureaucrats ruling in secrecy. And even the few attempts are equally responded with a reluctance to share information by the authorities even if they are not sheltered by the erstwhile Official Secret Act anymore.

He defines information in RTI as, `Information is any material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, emails, opinions advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form.

It also includes information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force`

He explains and interprets the legality of the RTI Act further in terms of accessibility, `A citizen has the right to obtain material which also includes inspection of work, documents, records, taking notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or records, taking certified samples of materials, taking information in the form of diskettes, tapes video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through print outs`

He inform the audience that RTI Act is applicable to seek information related to status of applications, evaluated answer sheets and marks besides governmental programmes, beneficiary list, budget, orders etc.

The interactive session stretch on the need to pursue for pro active disclosure (suo moto) towards fulfilling the core objective of the Act as specified in Section 4 of the Act which was meant to be complied within 120 days since its inception in 2005.

These includes procedures followed in decision making, details of consultative committees and other bodies, budgets and list of beneficiaries among others with regular updates to encourage sharing of information to the public towards transparency and accountability in governance.

According to a presentation of the department by S Inao Singh, Dy Registrar, 1408 RTI applications were received and 1297 cases disposed as on 23 of September 2015 with a pending case of 113 at present.

In his paper titled `A case study of the implementation of RTI Act in Manipur`™ he quotes cases where dept action against erring officials including service termination was evoked along with compensation to the applicants.

TH Ibobi Singh, SCIC,MIC who took charge this May after the commission remain defunct for more than two years responded to a concern raised by a RTI Activist about threats in the aftermath of seeking crucial information involving Ministers, `The SPIOs are not supposed to disclosed the name of the applicants. They could have responded to the information sought without disclosing the particulars which can lead to various form of harassing and discouraging this transparency practice`. He also shared about the role of the State Information Commission in facilitating the RTI applicants.

As part of the decadal celebration of this landmark RTI Act 2005, the Manipur Information Commission has scheduled a line of educative interactive programmes for the next few days with a culmination on 12 of October at the State Guest House, Imphal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/importance-of-rti-act-stressed-during-celebration-of-governance-transparency/

IMPHAL, Oct 5: `We (government) know that almost all the demands are reasonable but we need to think twice before pursuing the issues practically.`

This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam responding to queries raised by media persons regarding the demands of granting Jiribam Sub-division and Sadar Hills district status.

`As we all know that the issues confronting Manipur today are very sensitive and complex because different communities with different outlooks reside here. Before taking up any step we need to consider everyone`™s interest and find a consensual resolution acceptable to all,` the Gaikhangam added.

The Deputy Chief Minister was attending a voluntary blood donation camp jointly organised by National Students`™ Union of India (Manipur State) and Department of Immunohaemotology and Blood Transfusion, RIMS in connection with yearlong celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India at IHBT RIMS.

Media persons asked him what could be the possible reason for not granting Jiribam Sub-division and Sadar Hills district status though activists behind these demands have announced they would launch agitations to press their demands.

He further said that considering the present scenario of the State the government needs to take steps in these matters very carefully. However there is nothing like the government is unwilling to grant them their wishes or demands.

`We all know how things are in Manipur, when we try to solve one issue; another issue on the other side arises. We are only trying to find a consensual way to resolve these issues. Time will come for that too,` Gaikhangam said.

When asked what steps have been taken up regarding the frequent reports of looting from trucks at gunpoint by unidentified persons at National Highways connecting the state to mainland India and also regarding the public`™s suspicion of the involvement of UG groups under SoO pact with the government, he replied that the possibility of the involvement of UG groups under SoO pact cannot be totally ruled out considering their earlier records.

`We (government) are not saying that they (UG groups under SoO) are doing it but since allegations have been raised against them, we have instructed the concerned authorities to look into the matter.`

`However if the allegation is proven, than befitting action will be taken up against the involved person/s according to the law of the land,` he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/all-demands-are-reasonable-but-in-multiethnic-manipur-implementing-them-is-difficult-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, October 5: As part of the week-long celebration of the 60th Wildlife Week 2015, a cycle rally was flagged off from the Range Office of Keibul Lamjao to spread awareness on the importance of wildlife in our survival and maintaining the ecological balance.

The cycle rally was organised by the Wildlife Wing Forest Department Manipur in association with the Environmental Social Reformation and Sangai Protection Forum, Keibul Lamjao. Altogether 200 young local cyclist took part in the rally which went through Moirang Khunou, Keirenphabi, Thangalawai, Kumbi, Ithai Wapokpi, Nongmaikhong, Khordak and Laphupat Tera spreading the message of wildlife conservation and its importance along the way.

Conservator (Wildlife) L Lukhoi, Dy. Conservator of Forest Park and Sanctuary Division Arun RS, ZP Member of Kha- Thinungei Moirang Khunou N (O) Indira, Pradhan of Moirang Khunou G/P, L Gouramani and Ward Member of Chandapur O Iboyaima collectively flagged off the cycle rally.

A tree plantation drive was also conducted by the participants of the rally and other officials of the Forest Department at Laphupat Tera where the rally concluded.

Before the rally was flagged off Lukoi addressed the young participants to take an active role in conserving the wildlife and maintaining the ecological balance. He stated that all living beings depend on other creatures directly and indirectly and we are one big global family. Without wildlife life for human will not be possible and we must work voluntarily and participate in every work of conservation and preservation of wildlife and its habitat.

Meanwhile Arun RS maintained that the Keibul Lamjao National Park is a unique place in the entire world and also home to Sangai which is critically endangered. Young minds should be well sensitized with the importance of conservation of wildlife and its habitat, he added.

He asserted that without the help of local people, NGOs and other beneficiaries, it will be impossible for the Wildlife Wing in protecting the rare Sangai deer. He urged all people to support the works of the Forest Department in every possible way.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/cycle-rally-held-for-wildlife-conservation/

IMPHAL, Oct 5: Irom Chanu Sharmila has left Imphal on a 12:15 pm flight to Delhi today along with a team of around 9 people consisting of Jail staffs, Police personnel and medical staffs. She will be appearing before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Patialia House Court, New Delhi on October 7 and 8.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/sharmila-heads-for-delhi-for-her-hearing/