Category: KanglaOnline

At its crux, there are only two known ways of resolving a conflict of interest. One is to crush the weaker of the two with brute force and the other to reach a democratic consensus. The civilized norm of the modern world being the latter option, the need is to explore its possibilities, wherever conflict has come to stay, at least until a more perfected mechanism is evolved. For the moment, we can only foresee all putative future conflict resolution mechanisms as derivatives of the democratic system, the latter being known for its resilience and almost infinite accommodative capacity. But it must be acknowledged that often the most vocal advocates of democracy have regressed into the logic of an atavistic past where only force mattered. The objectionable interventions in the Middle East and West Asian have said this eloquently. It is a matter of pessimism that war still seems unavoidable even in the days of democracy. A qualification needs however to be added here. In the UNDP Human Development Report, HDR, 2002 with the theme “deepening democracy in a fragmented world”, one of the many interesting patterns of national behaviors that evolved from empirical data on wars in the second half of the 20th Century is, no two democracies have ever gone to war with each other. Quite obviously, these nations have discovered an alternative ground on which to thrash out vexed issues. The indication is also, democracy is a versatile medium for this meeting of minds and resolution of conflicts.Even in our situation, there have been very strong tendencies on very many occasions to return to the former method of conflict resolution, which basically has a one-line philosophy made famous by Joseph Conrad’s fictional character, Kurtz in Heart of Darkness – exterminate the brute. But, as in this story, the scale to decide which is the “civilized” and which the “brute” between the exterminator and exterminated, becomes extremely blurred. But the values of democracy, with its insistence on giving each and every one a say, regardless of numerical or physical strength, have generally managed to keep this tendency in check. There have been occasions when this inner moderation snapped, as in the case of the Naga-Kuki feud, Meitei-Meitei Pangal mayhem, and Kuki-Paite fratricide, but it would be reasonable to presume that many more would have been prevented by this inner cord. For indeed although our society seemed at certain junctures to have reached points of explosive of ethnic violence, nothing so catastrophic have happened so far. This however does not mean the dark forces of violence have been successfully subdued for all times. We still continue to sit on a dormant volcano which can with provocation come alive again. And provocations there have been and there will be by those who either do not understand or believe in the healing power of accommodation and mutual respect that democracy recommends.There have also been plenty of talks of a dialogue between the civil societies of the different communities that are at loggerheads. This is welcome, but a dialogue devoid of a willingness to accommodate can possibly lead nowhere. A dialogue or a discourse is not simply about convincing the opposing party to surrender to the will of the other party, but of discovering, or rediscovering as the case may be, of common grounds on which to build the foundation of the future together. This spirit has never been conspicuous in all the vociferous claims for the need for understanding and good neighbourliness. By democracy we do not necessarily mean only the number game. This is a necessary ingredient, but it is far from being a sufficient condition. Equally important, it is also about justice, and in evolving this understanding of justice, the premium must be on reason and creative insights into what is common good. Here concept of freedom is also important. Without individual freedom, the aggregate of which is what constitutes freedom of larger social grouping, including the nation, there can be no democracy. But again, as philosopher Isaiah Berlin said, freedom cannot be without any conditions. Absolute freedom for the wolves translates into death for the lambs. Freedom then can make meaning only if it is moderated by reason and a commonly legislated rational law.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/vqa7n6XT0eE/

By Nehginpao Kipgen John McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, has been one of the fiercest critics of the Burmese military junta, while lending unwavering support to Aung San Suu Kyi-led democracy movement. Why is a man who once called the Burmese military generals “thugs” have decided to visit Burma now? Perhaps equally surprising is that why did the Burmese government issue him visa?This week’s visit comes at a time when both the United States and the Burmese government are interested in improving bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit is more so important for the Burmese government than the senator’s own agenda. Even though McCain has not publicly spelled out the objectives of his mission, his past records have suggested what his intentions are. Although he is not an official envoy from the U.S. government, the nature of his important role in imposing sanctions on the Burmese government and his influential status in the U.S. senate makes the visit a significant one. The high-profile visit also comes at a time when Burma has once again captured headlines in international media. The country’s request for the 2014 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, two high-profile visits from the U.N. secretary general’s special envoy Vijay Nambiar and U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state Joseph Yun, and the visit to China by the Burmese president Thein Sein, all happened in May, have drawn the attention of the international community. Analyzing his past records on Burma, senator McCain has two primary objectives in his trip to Burma: assessing the ground reality of political developments in Burma after the 2010 election and listening to Aung San Suu Kyi’s view on the U.S. policy toward Burma. McCain in his July 2009 senate floor statement said, “I once had the great honor of meeting Aung San Suu Kyi. She is a woman of astonishing courage and incredible resolve.” The 2008 presidential candidate presumably has no high expectation of making a great stride in this trip. By meeting Suu Kyi, he wants to reiterate his admiration for her courage and dedication for the cause of democracy, and convey the U.S. strong support for democracy and human rights. With the formation of a new Burmese government, McCain plans to assess the ground reality of political developments inside the country. In doing so, he is expected to meet representatives from the government, which is dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. Since there are over 2,000 political prisoners still languishing in different prisons across Burma, McCain is likely to push for their release and the implementation of more democratic reforms before the U.S. can consider lifting sanctions, the issue raised by deputy assistant secretary of state Joseph Yun in his May 18-20 trip. On the other hand, the Burmese government wants to take this opportunity to show the U.S. government that it has made progress in democratic reforms. The new Burmese government, former military generals in civilian clothes, wants to demonstrate its claim to the international community. This is an important reason why McCain was issued visa in the first place. Indeed, the government has something positive to present to the visiting senator and other critics. President Thein Sein recently reduced all prison sentences by one year and commuted the death penalty to life imprisonment. Thousands of prisoners were released, although only a small number of political prisoners were among the freed. Naypyidaw will argue that it has successfully conducted the first countrywide general election in two decades and has released thousands of prisoners. It will reiterate its demand for the U.S. government to lift sanctions which the Burmese government considers as the greatest hindrance for improving bilateral relationship. It has to be noted that the United States has a leverage to help genuine democratic transition in Burma for two important reasons. First is because of the U.S. unparalleled economic and military power and its pioneering role in championing democracy and human rights. Second is because of the widely acceptance of the U.S. engagement policy by the Burmese people. The senator’s visit should be viewed as a positive development. The U.S. government needs to continue its diplomatic pressure for genuine democratic reforms and protection and promotion of human rights. One effective way of engagement for the senator is to urge his colleagues to confirm the nomination of Derek Mitchell as a U.S. special envoy for Burma. The then-president Bush nominated Michael J. Green as U.S. special envoy for Burma in late 2008, which was never confirmed by the senate. Senator McCain and his senate colleagues should not let president Obama’s nomination slip away. The special envoy, with an ambassador rank, can work more effectively than some occasional visits. Burma decades-old problem is not entirely a question of democracy. The root cause is about denying rights to ethnic minority groups. In the process of engaging Burma, the U.S. government, either democratic or republican party, should involve more representatives and experts from ethnic minorities. After all, the Burmese people themselves best understand the political psychology of the Burmese military generals. Burmese native scholars should be consulted equally, if not more than the Western scholars, in formulating effective U.S. political strategy. The Burmese scholars have the advantage of in-depth empirical knowledge besides theoretical, which the Western scholars often lack. Nehginpao Kipgen is a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma and general secretary of the U.S.-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum.com) whose works have been widely published in five continents – Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. He currently pursues a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University and can be reached at nkipgen1@niu.edu.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/mTddMr9VXHk/

By A Staff ReporterIMPHAL June 6: The ongoing Jiribam to Tupul rail head construction at Rangkhong will be stopped beginning June 12, if the due compensation amount for land acquisition is not distributed by the concerned authorities within the stipulated time.
The announcement was made by G Aching, village secretary of Rangkhong village at office chamber of K Panmei, vice chairman of the Hill Area Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
He further stated that about 29 houses have been affected by the ongoing rail works since the inception of the works in 2009, the concerned DC and district administration have been intimated about the issue, but a deaf ear has been turned to the loss of the villagers. “We have lost our arable land and our houses, we have been suffering for the last two years but our woes have remained unaddressed, we are given a step motherly treatment as we are viewed as ignorant villagers, we have been living as refugees”, a visibly distraught Aching said .
He stressed that since the compensation has not been awarded, the villagers’ social existence has been greatly affected.
Supplementing the grievances, chairman of Rangkhong village, R Dinglin stated that five villages located within Noney area namely Awang Khul, Rangkhong, Lukhambi, Nungtek and Marang Ching have been affected by the railway line construction.
“Our ancestral land, farms and streets, houses and cemetery tombs have been ravaged, mudslides are a frequent occurrence during the rainy seasons as a fallout of the excavation works, our woes have yet to be addressed by the concerned authorities, as a result we have decided to oppose the construction of the rail head” he added. The villagers appealed to the government to give the deserving compensation within the deadline of June 12, failing which the ongoing works will be stopped and other forms of agitations will be carried out.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/uPeQzBSBSFY/

IMPHAL June 12: The Shija Hospital and Research Institute today observed its fifth anniversary while side by side launching ‘Mission Myanmar’ today.

The programme which was held at the hospital premise was attended by health minister L Jayanta and Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) among other dignitaries.

The Smile Train project sponsored by the Smile Train Incorporated, a US based NGO was taken up by Shija Hospital and in course of time many individuals mainly children having cleft lip and palate in the state have been operated on.

Under the project Shija hospital has performed 1927 cleft operations. Of these 20 percent were conducted outside the state including in Myanmar.

Managing director of SHRI, Dr Kh Palin stated that the project will be taken up in the neighboring country Myanmar starting from June 28 to extend the campaign, he said that there are numerous cleft and palate cases in the country which are left unaddressed due to lack of surgeons and only one surgeon from Thailand has been treating the cases in the country.

It is also speculated that Myanmar must be having around 50,000 to 60,000 cleft lip and palate cases out of its 15 million population with most of them requiring operation.

Palin said that the patients of Myanmar go to Thailand for surgery which is costly and time consuming.

“ Since the treatment we offer is free of cost and the close vicinity between Manipur and Myanmar would prove much effective in addressing the cases”, he said.

The campaign will also be extended to Tripura, Nagaland and Cachar.

Health minister L Jayentakumar attending the anniversary celebration as the chief guest assured that necessary help would be extended to Shija Hospital’s Mission Myanmar.

“We’ll be extending necessary help if required”, he said before adding, “I will make my own arrangement to attend the forthcoming programs”.

Expressing the need to mobilize the human resources of the region, the minister also provided a brief update on the latest status of the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service which was initiated when he was transport minister. Besides he also informed the gathering particularly the media that NEDFI had agreed to take up a medicinal and aromatic plant project in the state.

Mamtaa Carrol, program manager of Smile Train (Eastern Zone) attending the STCP anniversary while sharing on a similar sentiment, said,”Our project has no boundary as we are moving forward for a cleft free society. So it should be made mandatory to send persons with cleft cases from Myanmar to Manipur without any hesitation otherwise there would be no meaning of the Look East Policy”.

A Myanmarese citizen Sabilal (52),a resident of Tamu township who had been waiting his turn for the free operation at Shija said,”I’m happy now as I would get proper operation here”. He is among nine Myanmarese patients who have come down to Imphal for treatment of various ailments.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/61MXG7YGJ5c/

IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground outfits of the state to resolve the insurgency problem, said the party’s outgoing general secretary Langol Iboyaima. 

Speaking at a press conference at Irawati Bhawan Monday, the CPI Manipur outgoing general secretary said that the party has unanimously resolved on five resolutions during the 20th state conference in the presence of its national general secretary AB Bardhan. The three-day-long state conference that started on June 10 concluded Sunday.

The state unit of the party will exert pressure on Central and state government for the repeal of AFSPA from the soil of Manipur, according to the resolutions adopted at the conference, while also resolving that the party will attempt at forming a left and democratic alternative government in the forthcoming general assembly election due early next year, said Mr Iboyaima.

CPI Manipur has been fighting to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state since its inception in 1948 and will continue to do so into the future, inform the outgoing state general secretary about the other resolutions.

The nature of distribution of power between Centre and state as informed by the Constitution of India is unitary in character, and CPI has resolved that the Constitution should be amended to usher in federal polity, he said, while adding that Manipur should be given a special status by the Central government.

Besides the resolutions, the conference also demanded from the Central government the fast tracking of process for the establishment of separate High Court for Manipur and the raising of highway protection force.

It also demanded the handing over of maintenance work of National Highway 53 and 39 to state Public Work Department from BRTF as also public declaration of assets of ministers and MLAs.

During the conference, the state CPI elected Dr M Nara as its new general secretary while L Koireng and Th Nabakumar as its assistant secretaries.

At the press conference, Dr M Nara said that the era of coalition politics is here to stay and the party needed to change its paradigm and strengthen its stand.

A very strong coalition government is indispensable in Manipur in order to solve the problems besetting the state, he said.

Touching on the formation of the state unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the ex-minister said that the party does not agree with the “divisive ideology” propounded by NPF which, he said, is bound to have adverse political ramification for the state. CPI national general secretary AB Bardhan had also publicly articulated his reservation on the formation of NPF in Manipur few weeks ago.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/iliSxq1Rqq8/

IMPHAL, June 15: The owner of the ill fated Tata Winger which was set on fire allegedly by a UG poser in the early morning of June 13, has this evening clarified that there has been no previous threat or monetary demands imposed upon him or his family members.

Clarifying on the issue, the owner identified as Khundrakpam Loken, of Uyal Makha leikai Thoubal district today convened a pres conference at the Manipur Press Club, this evening.

Speaking to the attending mediapersons, while confirming that there has been no imposition of threat or monetary demands on him or any members of his family, he added that his vehicle was bought with the help of a loan from the MGT motors, in the year 2010.

While quoting his driver, Loken stated that the individual who had set his vehicle ablaze, before identifying himself as a cadre of RPF had simply provided non cooperation from the owner’s side as the reason behind the setting of the vehicle on fire.

He has further requested the concerned party or organization to clarify on the issue.

According to the owner, his Tata Winger has been plying on the Imphal-Dimapur highway since June 11 under one DI counter located at North AOC.

One individual who identified himself as Basanta of Nambol had booked the said vehicle through the DI ticket counter on June 12.

Meeanwhile it may be mentioned that the passenger vehicle was allegedly set on fire by the individualwho identified himself as a RPF cadre early morning of June 13 at Tabungkhok Makha Leikai, under Patsoi police station, Imphal West district.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/J07BvkWQIKg/

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/3amwWWuYIpk/

IMPHAL June 17: The week long observance of the 13th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party observed by the Manipur Pradesh NCP concluded today at Ima Khunthoknganbi Sanglen today.

The anniversary observance was attended by state NCP president MLA Radhabinod Kiojam,MLAs Th Nandakishore, Salam Joy and Doukhomang Khonsai among other party officials.

Taking digs at the Congress led SPF government, opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said that the Congress has become unscrupulous and is leading the people on a wrong path. Stating that the insurgent issue needs to be addressed at the foremost and that necessary initiatives has to be taken to bring the misguided youths back to the mainstream. He said that talks must be held between the state and non state actors so as to bring about a congenial atmosphere in the State as there can be no development without peace.

He further said that the NCP believes in upholding the territorial integrity of the State and will never compromise on the issue, he also reminded the fact that Irom Sharmila has been fasting for more than a decade for removal of AFSPA from the State, yet her endeavor has been largely ignored by the state government. He added that if she expires then the State will burn in protest.

MLA Doukhomang in his speech stated that NCP will contest for 25 assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections and will win at least 15 seats. He also said that the next government will have a coalition with the NCP.

MLA Salam Joy also stated that the State is going backwards in development as the Congress believes in doing politics by using money, muscle power and sheer gundaism. Such attitude of the Congress will never be successful in bringing development to the State. He added that the NCP believes in bringing communal harmony and acts with a sacrificing and sincere outlook.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/sRNcYev8zSs/

Manipur stands on a bed of dry tinder today, seemingly ready to break out into an inferno by even the tiniest spark. The hill-valley divide has never been so accentuated, ethnic exclusive politics have ensured the foundation of fraternal bondages between the different communities are shaken, ever expanding population against a stagnant job market has resulted in stiffening competition for them and in unhealthy manner where suspicion is continually bred between the reserved category of job seekers and those in the open category, each believing they have been being short-changed. While those in the reserved category are prone to believe they are being denied their fair share, those in the non-reserved category think they are being made to competed with their hands and legs tied. These perceptions have only resulted in furthering the divide between different communities. While the government remains overwhelmed and clueless as to how to tackle the problem, there are apparently sinister vested interests trying to take advantage of the bad situation and further their dark designs of fomenting ethnic mayhem in the state. The news item in a Nagaland daily in which a previously unheard of organisation called “Naga Crusaders” serving quit notice to Meiteis living in the hill districts is just the latest of these. There can possibly be no other motive behind this than to spark communal hatred and possibly violence. If this indeed was a statement of intent, nothing can be more puerile, considering there are not too many Meiteis living in the hills because of the land regulatory system which prohibits Meiteis and other non-tribals from settling in the hill districts. The opposite however is not true, and hill communities are free to settle in the valley, therefore there is a much greater cosmopolitan mix of population in the valley.

Although the development would have left a bad taste in the mouth, it is not surprising that nobody is taking the threat too seriously. In the past, even at the heights of hill-valley tension, no communal violence of a scale worth mention happened between the valley and hill communities. In fact, observers from outside the state were left confounded that no violence broke out between Nagas and Meiteis even in the aftermath of May 6 last year when two youth were killed at Mao gate protesting the Manipur government’s refusal to allow NSCN(IM) leader Th. Muivah, to enter the state. No communal violence resulted earlier in June 2001 either when there were wide scale street protests against the decision of the Government of India to declare the NSCN(IM) ceasefire “without territorial limits”. It may be recalled that in this protest, on June 18, when the crowd turned violent, 18 protestors lost their lives in firing by security men and several government infrastructures, including the Manipur State Assembly were burnt down. Yet, all fears of an outbreak of communal violence proved false alarm. The inner integrity of the Manipur society is something to be admired indeed.

Although the present threat is unlikely to have its ostensibly intended effect of inciting communal violence, what needs to be noted by everybody is, the continual friction between the different communities in the state is nothing to be proud of. If it is allowed to continue, this will not be the last time communal forces try to foment violence and hatred. This being the case, the people by and large must remain alert, and more importantly work towards a resolution to the tensions. But the current problem also brings to the fore the danger that sloppy vetting for unsubstantiated inflammatory messages by the media before allowing them to go into print, can cause. The editor of the Nagaland newspaper which published the news item has clarified it was an oversight that allowed such a message to find print. Other Naga civil society bodies too have declared that the group is unknown and at best mischief mongers. What the sorry episode has done however is leave a lesson for the media as well. It is imperative now for the media anywhere, but more pertinently in conflict torn states like Manipur where false and provocative news can have grave implication, to be extremely wary of information availed through email by little heard of organisations, especially if their contents are unsubstantiated and can prove inflammatory.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/7tX-m2CXFZ0/

By: Basantakumar Wareppa, Human Rights Alert
Mr. Ban Kin-moon, UN Secretary General once says, “Torture is a crime under international law.  The prohibition of torture is absolute and unambiguous.  Torture cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever, whether during a state of war or in response to terrorism, political instability or any other public emergency”.

However, in Manipur, increasing number of custodial torture leading to death over the past months virtually a matter in interrogation as a systematic trend clearly justify torture as necessary pattern to tackle the law and order situation.

Despite of having India’s legal obligation to combat torture, there is continuing pattern of torture. These patterns are clearly in breach of universally accepted norms of human rights particularly International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as the right against torture is absolute and non-derogable. The United Nations Code of Conduct has bolstered this for Law Officials Enforcement.

Every possible effort to address the issue of torture has been made by the torture victims with full support from Human Rights groups appear to have no meaning yet. At present, India has no functional domestic legal framework to address the question of torture. Lacking of legal framework is not only the sole reason but also non-implementation and misinterpretation of the existing little mechanism is other major factors. Implementing agencies often make the victims wrongly interpret/believe the available legal mechanism and such has a serious implication to address this issue.

In one such example, mandatory video filming of the post-mortem procedure for custodial death/encounter killing is presumed to be sought permission from concerned executive magistrate as a require legal step. But as per National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) letter No. 66/SG/NHRC/93 to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories dated 14 December 1993 clearly directed the concerned District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police is to report every custodial death to the Secretary General of the Commission within 24 hours. In another letter to all Chief Ministers of States dated 10 August 1995 that the post-mortem examinations done in respect of the death in police custody and jails should be video-filmed and cassettes be sent to the Commission along with post-mortem report. The Commission has further stated that the process of video-filming will involve extra cost but human life is more valuable than the cost of video-filming which was also reaffirmed in a latter No. NHRC/ID/PM/96/57 dated 2
7 March 1997. The Commission has also cautioned that the failure to report promptly would give rise to presumption that there was an attempt to suppress the incident.

To address the issue of torture, firm stand and determination of the victim could only make little hope. One respected teacher who himself was a torture victim has proof such a little hope. Mr. Gopeshor Singh is a respected member of his community due to his profession as teacher. It may be noted that Mr. Gopeshor was arrested by a team of Indian Army from 57 Mountain Division on 1 September 2007 after issuing an arrest memo as per the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated 18 December 1996.

Mr. Gopeshor was handed over to Nambol Police Station after subjected to torture during his detention under military custody the next day. The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR), New Delhi has brought the matter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with a subsequent complaint.

After three year of legal hurdle and systematic disturbance, Mr. Gopeshor received compensation of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty five thousand only) following the specific recommendation by the NHRC vide letter number 24/14/4/07-08/UC dated 9 December 2010. In the recommendation to the Human Rights Cell of Additional Directorate General Discipline and Vigilance Adjutant General’s Branch, Head Quarter, Ministry of Defense (Army), DHQ, New Delhi to award a sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) for meeting the expenditure towards payment of compensation to Mr. Gopeshor.

In order to prevent such serious forms of violation of human rights and to make transparency and accountable, the authorities concerned is to follow legally establish procedure for the end of justice. Therefore, the recent bill on the Prevention of Torture which has been passed by the lower house of the Indian Parliament needs to incorporate the essence and spirit of the international human rights standards particularly UN Convention against Torture which the Government of India has already signed.

Note: This article is written dedicating to those survivors of torture to mark the observance of UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 2011.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/HnjhopZktFM/