Tag: Top Stories

MPP memorandum

IMPHAL, May 23: The Manipur People’s Party has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister… more »

IMPHAL, May 23: The Manipur People’s Party has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on the two cases of Loitam Richard and O Laba.

The MPP apprised the Prime Minister through the memorandum that according to the report of the hostel warden in the Richard case, Syed Afzal Ali hit Richard on the face three or four times with an intention to kill.

Next day the boy was found death on his bed with tell-tale signs of severe punching and hitting of his face which was swollen with bruise marks blood oozing profusely from his ear and nose, the memorandum continued.

It has also expressed that the tragic aspect of the story is the controversial post mortem report by a Bangalore based hospital which is very doubtful.

The memorandum has said that the report points the cause of Richard’s death to heart failure which cannot be believed by anybody from the doctors to the laymen.

It has furthermore expressed the party’s concern over the death of another Manipuri youth in Chennai last year.

The MPP memorandum has also urged the Prime Minister to institute a CBI probe into the killing of Richard to avoid more troubles.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/mpp-memorandum/

India faces UN tests on human rights

By Suhas Chakma NEW DELHI, May 23: The United Nations Human Right Council is slated… more »

By Suhas Chakma
NEW DELHI, May 23: The United Nations Human Right Council is slated to review India’s human rights record on 24th May 2012 in Geneva during the 13th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR mechanism was introduced through the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council itself, to review of the human rights records of all 192 UN Member States once every four years. All countries from Liechtenstein to the United States are subject to the review and the States are required to declare pledges to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations.

India’s previous examination was done in May 2008. As India was one of the first countries to have been examined and the procedures were not clear, there were only very few questions on its human rights record and only 18 recommendations were made.  However, on 24th May, India’s delegation led by Attorney General G E Vahanvati will face question from 87 governments who have signed up to speak during India’s examination.

India submitted its 22 page National Report and the report sadly reflects India’s anachronistic positions on human rights. It has failed to report on implementation of the pledges made for being elected to the Human Rights Council while it has nothing to report about the implementation of the recommendations made in May 2008 except extending Standing Invitation to the Special Rapporteurs of the UN. The National Report widely invokes constitutional provisions and highlights the success stories but fails to acknowledge any of the human rights problems. The report gives an impression that there are no human rights problems in India despite the fact that there is no country in the world which does not face human rights problems. As India does not want to acknowledge the human rights problems and insists on only positive aspects, its remains to be seen as to how Indian delegation responds to the questions from other member States.

In contrast to the report of the Government, the submission of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) prepared after five regional consultations and a national consultation with NGOs, academics, officials and State Human Rights Commissions and submitted to the UN Human Rights Council is on the spot on human rights problems of the country. The NHRC reported that there is no evidence that India intended to ratify UN Convention Against Enforced Disappearances while enforced disappearance is not codified as a criminal offence in domestic law despite NHRC receiving 341 complaints of disappearance in 2010 and 338 in 2011. The Government of India drafted anodyne “Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010” but failed to introduce the Prevention of Torture Bill as drafted by the Parliamentary Select Committee. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act remains in force in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-Eastern States, conferring an impunity that often leads to the violation of human rights while India`s 2011 report on the Optiona
l Protocol to the CRC states that “India does not face either international or non international armed conflict situations”. About 35% of the complaints to the NHRC annually are against the police but custodial justice remains a problem. The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes remain particularly vulnerable despite laws to protect them, because of the indifference of public servants.

In addition, the NGOs too cover wide and vast spectrum of issues from extrajudicial executions to female foeticide. Further, in this age of internet that India is seeking to censor like a totalitarian regime, there is no scope to hide.

While India will be rightly censured for its failure to implement any of the recommendations of the previous UPR examination as well as continuing worsening human rights situations in the country, India can expect some brickbats too.

Since India has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council from 1 January 2011, India’s policy on human rights issues of other countries has been gradually changing. While India remained ambivalent on the UN Security Council resolutions on Libya, India voted against Syria at the Security Council on 16 February 2012. On 23 March 2012, India expressed “its deep concern over the recent developments in Mali” and called “for respect of the Constitutional order and democratic process in that country” while welcoming “the statements by the United Nations Security Council, the African Union and the ECOWAS on the developments in Mali.” India also voted against Sri Lanka at the 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council that created contentions in the region. Sri Lanka which is listed as the fourth speaker is expected to raise tough questions and make appropriate recommendations.

Undoubted India faces multifarious human rights problems. There are very few human rights issues in the world that one does not find in India. India does not have human rights problems such female genital mutilation but its caste system that survived since the Pagan period remains unique to India. In such a situation, India can expect dozens of recommendations.

Yet, there is no doubt that India should make a statement of commitment to address the root cause of all human rights violations in the country i.e. impunity through the regime of prior sanction. The Supreme Court in its judgement dated 31 January 2012 in Civil Appeal No. 1193 of 2012 ordered that “all proposals for sanction placed before any Sanctioning Authority, empowered to grant sanction for the prosecution of a public servant under section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act must be decided within a period of three months of the receipt of the proposal by the concerned authority”. The question is if a judge considering the facts and circumstances of a case decides to prosecute an accused public servant, how can the executive without application of the same judicial mind on the same facts and circumstances of the case decide otherwise? This exposes that independence of judiciary is suspect as the executive can prevail over the judiciary to block prosecution of the accused public servants. Since India
is being led by none other than the Attorney General, its delegation should make a commitment that all laws that undermine the supremacy of the judiciary will be repealed.

(The writer is Director, Asian Centre for Human Rights)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/india-faces-un-tests-on-human-rights/

FNR on Naga Reconciliation meeting

IMPHAL, May 21: The Forum for Naga Reconciliation has expressed disappointment with the NSCN/GPRN (IM)’s… more »

IMPHAL, May 21: The Forum for Naga Reconciliation has expressed disappointment with the NSCN/GPRN (IM)’s decision to abstain from attending its proposed ‘Highest level Meeting of Naga Leaders’ in the last week of May at Chiang Mai, Thailand.

A press statement of the FNR has stated that the meeting was agreed during a Naga Reconciliation meeting held on February 29.

It has further continued, “It was most disheartening to hear only through the media that the NSCN/GPRN (Isak and Muivah) has decided to abstain from attending this meeting”.

“While recognizing the difficulties that have prompted them to take such a step, it is pertinent for FNR to remind all Naga national political groups that it is precisely because of such differences and misunderstandings that they need to stay in relationship through face to face meetings and discussions with each other”.

“The FNR, therefore, appeals to all the Naga national political groups to honor their assurance of Naga leaders at the highest levels to meet by taking this opportunity to hammer out all differences for the common interest and good of all Naga people”.

Further assuring that the meeting will create the space to constructively address all recent misunderstandings that have been expressed through the media, the statement said, making statements from a distance will only widen the gulf, creating more confusion and heightening tensions.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/fnr-on-naga-reconciliation-meeting/

Tengnoupal police nabs molester, escapes attack

IMPHAL, May 21: A security team from Tengnoupal Police Station escaped unhurt when they were… more »

IMPHAL, May 21: A security team from Tengnoupal Police Station escaped unhurt when they were chased by an irate mob raining stones at them in Sora along National Highway-39 after the former arrested a local resident on the charges of molestation of two young girls.

The incident happened around noon Monday at Sora, a Muslim dominated area along Imphal-Moreh road when a security team led by Officer-in-charge, Alim arrested a truck driver named Md Fazir, 21 on the charges of molestation of two girls.

The police team was attacked by a mob just after they nabbed the culprit, police said, adding that the security team was surrounded by a large crowd and attacked them with stones. However, the police team quickly turned their vehicle towards Pallel and headed to Khongjom via Kakching and Tentha, and finally arrived at the Imphal Police Station.

Md Fazir, son of Md Yusuf, a resident of Sora Mayai Leikai, is a 407 mini truck driver. He is now in the custody of Imphal Police Station.

On May 11 last around 8 am, Fazir boarded two girls, aged about 18 on his way near Sita when he was returning home after loading woods in the mini truck. He allegedly molested the duo as they reached Samukon, according to police.

The duo bashed up Fazir, but he fled in his vehicle following which the two girls filed a complaint at the Tengnoupal Police Station on May 16 last. The girls also had examination at Forensic Science, RIMS in connection with the molestation charges leveled against Fazir.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/tengnoupal-police-nabs-molester-escapes-attack/

Road mishap kills one

IMPHAL, May 21: A 54-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a speeding… more »

IMPHAL, May 21: A 54-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a speeding passenger bus near Hiyangthang Old Bridge under Wangoi Police Station this morning.

The victim is identified as Lukram Angouba, son of L Tomba, a resident of Thiyam Leishangkhong Awang Leikai.

The road mishap took place around 7 am when Angouba who was returning home in an Access scooter after dropping his child at a private tuition centre had a head-on collision with a speeding passenger bus near Hiyangthang Old Bridge, killing him on the spot.

Both the victim and his scooter were hauled away by the impact of the collision to a distance of about 20 ft, eye witnesses said.

Police said the bus with registration number MN 01 Y-8582 involved in the accident which plies between Wabgai and Imphal is now in the custody of Wabgai Police Station, but the driver is absconding.

The body was conducted autopsy at RIMS morgue and later handed over to the family.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/road-mishap-kills-one/

Eshingthingbi: A forgotten lake in Chandel

IMPHAL, May 21: Manipur Amateur Photo Club in connection with the June 5 World Environment… more »

IMPHAL, May 21: Manipur Amateur Photo Club in connection with the June 5 World Environment Day conducted a trip to Eshingthingbi Lake, Chandel under the banner, “Photo Hunt: Through the Lens of Manipur Amateur Photo Club’ yesterday.

Around 30 members of the club planted tree saplings in the area during the trip and later conducted photo sessions capturing the natural beauty of the area.

The photos taken will be later shown during a photo exhibition on June 5 Environment Day which will be organised by the club.

The Eshingthenbi Lake which lies at an altitude of 3293 feet above sea level is 45 kms away north east of Imphal and is surrounded on all sides by hills forming a picturesque view.

The roads leading to the landscape of Eshingthingbi lake were in a bad shape, however if the government could maintain the roads properly, the lake could be turned into a tourist spot.

The club members faced several hardships during the trip due to the bad condition of the road leading to the lake.

The government could look into the deplorable condition of the roads leading to the picturesque lake and develop it so as to attract tourist to the spot.

The club has been bringing out the picturesque landscapes of the state through their camera lenses for the people of the state to understand the beauty of the land.

The club will also continue with such trips in the future and bring the beauties of the state to the fore.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/eshingthingbi-a-forgotten-lake-in-chandel/

Anti-terrorism pledge

IMPHAL, May 21: Anti Terrorism Day was also observed in the state today with the… more »

Chief Minister O Ibobi SIngh addressing the Anti-Terrorism Day observation on Monday

IMPHAL, May 21: Anti Terrorism Day was also observed in the state today with the chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh leading ministers, MLAs and officials in the pledge against terrorism.

The observation held at the Old Secretariat complex was attended by Home minister Gaikhangam, Rural Development minister Francis Ngajokpa, Education minister M Okendro, along with other top officials of various government departments.

Mentioning that terrorism is the most serious threat to humanity CM Ibobi Singh said, “The then PM Rajiv Gandhi was also one of the victim of such terror activities”. He did not believe in using violent means during his administration and always was open to dialogue.

The Punjab Accord, 1985 and the Mizoram accord in the following year was a landmark achievement of the late leader.

He appealed that the policies adopted by Rajiv Gandhi should be further propagated.

“We must initiate dialogue to bring about a solution”, he added that compliance is needed from all quarters to end the conflict situation in the state and to bring about development.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the day commemorating former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi’s 21st Death Anniversary at its office starting from 8:30am.

MPCC president Gaikhangam presided over the observation while Chief Minister attended as the chief guest.

Members of the MPCC offered floral tribute to a picture of the late Prime Minister as part of the observation.

The observation was also attended by ministers, MLAs and members of the MPCC.

Meanwhile, the Nehru Yuva Kendra, Thoubal also observed the death anniversary of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as Anti-Terrorism Day by administering anti-terrorism pledge and organizing a voluntary blood donation at the Jivan Hospital, Kakching today.       

75 youths donated blood during the camp, informed a press statement.

A separate release of the PRO IGAR (S) has said that to commemorate the Anti-Terrorism Day, 30 Assam Rifles and 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the HQ IGAR (S) organized a drawing competition and lecture for youth at Nilakuti, Sawombung, Khurukhul, Chingmairong, Temple of Learning School at Andro and Mission High School at Machingpat.

The objective of the function was to wean away the youths from terrorist violence cult by highlighting the sufferings of common people and showing how it is prejudicial to state and national interest, added the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/antiterrorism-pledge/

Bomb blast at engineer`s house

IMPHAL, May 20: Suspected militants attacked the house of a Superintending Engineer of the state… more »

IMPHAL, May 20: Suspected militants attacked the house of a Superintending Engineer of the state IFCD at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai under Imphal Police Station by exploding a hand grenade which injured one person in the wee hours of Sunday, according to police.

The unidentified assailants threw the hand grenade targeting the residence of AE, Soubam Dhanabir around 3 am, but it exploded close to the residential gate. A domestic help of the house sustained minor injury in the blast. The assailants fled the area after the attack.

The injured is identified as one Dawa, a Nepalese domestic help.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack so far.

On April 10 last, three cadres of NSCN-K had tried to serve a demand note to Dhanabir, but the local residents thwarted it, resulting in the manhandling of one of the cadres.

In another incident, unidentified persons suspected to be militants placed a hand grenade at the residence of one Sapam Romi, son of (L) S Ibohal at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai this morning.

Details on the incident were not available.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/bomb-blast-at-engineers-house/