Day: December 9, 2017

IMPHAL | Dec 9

Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) has urged the government of India and the state government to respect and promote the human rights of all indigenous peoples of Manipur as guided by the provision of the UDHR.  

A release said CRAM is making the appeal on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the adoption of the UN declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10. CRAM would like to express their concern with the continued imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, 1958, that derogates non derogable rights, like the ‘Right to Life’, ‘Right to Justice Remedy’, etc, it said. CRAM also expressed their concern regarding the singing up of MoUs to commence mining operations in Manipur on December 2 at the sidelines of North East Business Summit in Imphal without any details of the MoUs to the people, the release further said.

As recommended by various UN Human Rights bodies, the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, should be repealed, it continued. The full implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 is critical to advance indigenous peoples rights and their self-determined rights over the land and resources, it added.  

By the Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 9

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against the acid attack on M. Menaka, today threatened to launch series of agitation if the authority concerned fails to fulfil their demands within seven days.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur press club, convener of the JAC, Naorem Mahendra, urged the government to take serious initiatives by delivering justice at the earliest citing the gravity of the crime.

It is the responsibility of all the stake holders to bring out an ultimate solution so that such brutal incident, which is the first of its kind in the state, may not recur, he added.

Maintaining that the incident was equivalent to an attempted murder, the JAC convener further demanded the authority award severest form of punishment to the accused involved in the crime.

The convener also further demanded the authority to extend financial assistance to the victim, who is a mother of two children, until she fully recovers.

He warned to take up series of agitation with the help of civil society organizations, if the government fails to convert the demands into action within seven days.

Mahendra further appealed to all the civil organisations of Manipur to extend their supports in the course of step taken up by the JAC.

Menaka was allegedly attacked on the night November 29, by Md. Shahdad alias Tomba, using acid.

In connection with the incident three including Md. Shahdad were arrested by the police.

The Joint action committee formed against the incident today organised sit-in protest demonstration at citizen club today strongly condemning the incident at Citizens club, Imphal.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 9

Principal of Lilong Haoreibi College, Lilong Ushoipokpi, Thoubal district, Md. Sahidur Rahman has clarified in a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club that the allegation made by student’s union of the college is baseless.

He stated that four college secretaries have already been expelled from the union for faking his signature and withdrawing Rs. 5 lakhs from the college fund. They also tried to withdraw Rs. 1 crore of MOBC scholarship by making fake signature without the consent of college authority, he added.

He also said that there is video proof of the culprits making fake signature of him and anyone can see the clip in the principal’s office.

‘Neither I have misused any college fund nor taken any extra fees at the time of verification of the scholarship form’, said Sahidur.

The principal strongly condemned the false allegation against him without proper evidence and stated that it is true that there is college fund at UBI Thoubal branch but the college also has its fund at other banks.

The college has two clerical staff and during the time of admission, other staffs were assigned to collect money in order to make the payment of fees easier, he added.

The college authority found that 130 students were given admission through fake signature of the principal.

The principal has released an order to expel the secretaries of the student union under article 16 (A), and they were identified as, general secretary, Md. Sabir Ahamed, magazine secretery, Md. Mutaveer Ahamed, finance secretary, Md. Sulpha, debate and extension secretary Md. Nurul Hassan and social and culture secretary, Kh. Asif Khan.

They have no power to use letter head, identity card and office seal, and an FIR has been filed against the students for further investigation, said Sahidur.

IMPHAL | Dec 9

Education, Labour and Employment minister, Thokchom Radheshyam has addressed that improvement of relationship between the doctors and patients is highly required for a better progressive functioning in the health sector.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the 33rd All Manipur Medical Conference (AMAMECON 2017), organised by the Indian Medical Association Manipur State Branch (IMA-MSB) at IMA Hall, Lamphelpat under the theme ‘Depression – Let’s Talk’.

Radheshyam said that every doctor hopes to fulfil the needs and requirements of the patients but at times things go out of hand. However, patients always feel that the sickness and worries will be cured once they reach doctor. They have high expectations on doctors, he added.

He continued that an act of kindness is a necessity to convince and console someone who is in need of care. Today’s conference is an opportunity to introspect and analyse various issues of patients and doctors and to overcome it for better functioning in the future, he added.

The minister further expressed his gratefulness on Manipur being in third position in the ranking of ‘Best Health Sector’ in a November edition of India Today magazine. The credit goes to the doctors and all those involved in the medical service, he added.

Describing the tremendous contribution of IMA, chairman of MANIDCO and MANITRON, Dr. Y. Radheshyam said that health is much more important than wealth and without good health there can be no progress, development and prosperity. He continued that depression is a major mental problem affecting the mood and function of an individual hampering the work progress, productivity and harmony of the family and the society. The conference will help in addressing the problem by looking ways and means of a cure, he added.

In the inaugural function, Dr. G. Sharat Sharma was felicitated and it was also attended by president of IMA-MSB, Dr. Kh. Sulochana Devi, chairman of Reception Committee, Dr. Brogen Singh Akoijam, along with other medical professionals and students.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Dec 9

In a shocking incident, today an expectant mother was allegedly denied delivery at CHC, district hospital, Kangpokpi, over incomplete documents.

Lhingjoujam Lotzem (20), wife of Kamminlal Lotzem, a resident of Laikha was rushed to the district hospital, Kangpokpi, for a delivery case at around 11 pm. But she was allegedly denied service by the nurse on duty after the documents they had brought was reported to be incomplete.

They were also informed that an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) had not accompanied along and that the pregnant mother had failed to undergo proper check-up during her pregnancy. Hence, such case cannot be accepted for delivery in the said hospital.

The sister-in-law of the expectant mother, Nengkhohoi admitted their ignorance and appealed for an appointment with a doctor, but she was denied.

Later, one of the doctors on duty examined the patient and gave an injection but still denied admission over the abovementioned factors.

The patient party having no alternate means halted the night at the hospital verandah till morning without any medical care on the part of the medical staffs and left in the morning with much disappointment.

The expectant mother reportedly delivered a baby at her sister’s residence while looking for alternative hospitals.

Speaking to media persons this afternoon at Kangpokpi, Nengkhohoi mentioned that as they stayed in the hospital verandah with the pregnant mother resting on the bench, they were hoping to get some hospitality and concern from the doctors and nurses, but none came to even inquire on them.

The family is worried about the child who has been born under such circumstance, and if any unfortunate incident befalls the child, the district hospital medical staff, particularly the doctors and nurses on duty will be held responsible, she added.

It was also reported that the nurse on duty is allegedly a substitute for another permanent nurse of the hospital and apparently many critical delivery cases as cited at CHC, Kangpokpi, had been referred to other hospitals. Mobile court was organised today at Jiribam district.