Day: July 19, 2013

IMPHAL, July 19 NNN : Only 45.9 percent of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) scheme has so far been able to implement in Ukhrul district of Manipur due to lack of sincerity and awareness among the people in the hill district, said a PHED official.
A one-day workshop on NBA was held at Kamjong, Ukhrul on Friday during which L Swamikanta, Director, Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU), PHED, Manipur said that full implementation of NBA scheme in Ukhrul has been hampered by lack of sincerity and awareness among the people of the district.
He said only 45.9 percent of NBA scheme, which was launched in the state in 2006, has so far been implemented in the district because the people of the district lack attentiveness about the scheme.
Tamenglong district is recorded to be the highest among other hill districts of the state to implement this scheme at 90.50 percent, Swamikanta said.
He said people need toilets to lead a healthy life and also to ward off many diseases like common cold, diarrhea and dysentery.
NBA is a scheme jointly sponsored by the state and Central Governments under which the poor can build toilets at home free of cost.
He appealed to the Ukhrul public, particularly with poor economic background to avail the benefit and to construct toilets with sincerity.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/poor-nba-work-at-ukhrul/

Based on specific information regarding presence of UG cadres with huge cache of arms and ammunition in Uyumpok Lokchao, Sagolmang near Sericulture farm, troops of 16 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector AR under aegis of HQ IGAR
(South) launched an operation and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunitions on 19 Jul 2013. One M-16 Rifle with magazine, four rounds of M-16 Rifle, two 7.65mm pistol with magazines, four rounds of 7.65mm, one C-150 Radio Set, one IC-V85 intercom RS and one G-3 Magazine were recovered from the cache.
15 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) organised a meeting of local community leaders of Yairipok and neighbouring Villages ThoubalDist on 19 Jul 2013. A total of 40 villages heads, Pradhans and local leaders belonging to Thoubal District attended the meeting. This meeting discussed issues related to infrastructure development, cleanliness, flood control and security aspects. The local leaders projected their requirements which will be taken up by 15 Assam Rifles in due course.
30 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) organised a Drawing Competition at Needy Academy, MapaoKhullen, Nilakuti on 19 Jul 2013. A total of 30 school children participated in this competition.
Mr R Chance, Assistant Professor of DM College was the Chief Guest of the event.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-recovers-huge-cache-of-arms/

MNS: The parent association of selected candidates NEET UG 2013 has submitted memorandum to the chief minister Manipur today regarding the issue of MBBS/BDS entrance test 2013. The association said that the eligible candidates for admission to MBBS/BDS course as per NEET UG 2013 results have submitted. Counselling form to the medical directorate govt. of Manipur. In the mean time it appears in the daily local newspaper appear today the 19th July 2013 that Manipur Pre medical test may probably be held on 28 July or 4 August which confused the already selected candidates. In this connection, the supreme court verdict passed on 18 July seems wrongly interpreted as seen in local news papers published. The chief minister should give instruction to the concerned authority to start the counseling for admission to MBBS/BDS courses as per NEET UG 2013 results immediately.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/neet-candidates-submit-memorandum/

Imphal, July 19 NNN: The Dy. CM, Gaikhangam said, to bring a civilized society, we should protect human rights together.
He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a seven day training on human rights organized by centre for human rights and duties education, Manipur University at the auditorium of the centre.
Regarding the prevailing situation in which people of Manipur refused to receive a body till a final solution is nothing but a disturbance to human rights. As per customary rules, the people should perform the last rites of the deceased.
The dy. CM further said, human rights has become a big issue for the world. The society as well as the individuals should abide by this.
Due to the advancement of technology violation of human rights is increasing. Besides, the knowledge of criminals is also increasing. If we forget responsibilities and duties, human rights will be of no use.
The minister was of the view that the organizers should submit the recommendations of the seven day training so that a forward law can be enacted.
Human rights organizations based in the state remained silent when non-state actors abuse the human rights even though they strongly shouted against the state actors when they violated the rights.
He called upon the people of the state to jointly protect the human rights for a prosperous and developed society.
“People of the state should not simply go along with their one sided views and keep on countering each other as there is no dearth of stones to be thrown to each other,” Gaikhangam said, expressing concern over the recent emerging trend of not receiving dead bodies for fulfilling the demands they put up is not a right decision.
“It is beyond the tradition of the human society,” Gaikhangam added.
“We should respect any dead body and perform its last rites”, the home minister said, asserting that leaving the dead body without performing the last rites is tantamount to violation of human rights.
The summer training camp participated by students, police personnel, members of civil organizations and resource persons from various part of the state was organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, Manipur University. It would be concluded on July 23.
Resource persons observed that human rights abuses in Manipur have been an ongoing issue. The security forces have been committing several human rights violations in Manipur while suppressing a separatist insurgency in the region.
At the same time, the insurgency groups have been known to kidnap and recruit children to work as child soldiers against the Indian Government.
They observed that separatist insurgency began in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur in 1964, although momentum to a more violent phase did not occur until 1978.
The separatists demand a sovereign state separate from the union of India, conceding their grievances over lack of development, plundering of local resources and a general discontent in Manipur.
Human right activists argued that human rights violations by security forces have only fuelled the insurgency. Security forces have at times acted with impunity as anti-terrorism laws in the state make prosecution of human rights violators difficult.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is a controversial legislation that was passed on September 11, 1958 by the Parliament of India granted “special powers” to the security forces in regions which the act refers to as “disturbed areas”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/respect-human-rights-dy-cm/

IMPHAL, July 19 NNN : Anganwadi workers and helpers took out rallies in different parts of Manipur on Friday to lodge protest against non-payment of their 14 months due of honorariums by the state Government.
The protests were simultaneously organised in Imphal, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts in the wake of the recent assurance given by Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai to clear their honorariums for five months only.
In Imphal, hundreds of Angawadi workers and helpers took out the rally that started from the office of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (AWHUM), Manipur at the IrawatBhawan Complex. Members of anganwadi associations of other districts except for that of Tamenglong and Churachandpur participated the demonstration in Imphal.
However, the rally led by the AWHUM was forced to halt in front of Kangla Fort after a large number of police personnel stopped them there.
There, the police picked up three prominent leaders who submitted a letter to the Chief Minister apprising him six different demands of the union. Copies of the letter were also submitted to the Social Welfare minister and the Director of the department.
In a statement, AWHUM said that it cannot accept the honorarium assured by the Social Welfare minister and it wants complete clearance of the 14 months due of honorariums.
The statement said that supplying of supplementary nutrition food items to anganwadi centre should be stopped as beneficiaries are refusing to consume them.
Removing anganwadi workers and helpers who are in the age of 60 was not a right move of the Government, it said and appealed to Chief Minister O Ibobi to take steps to extend the age limit of the anganwadi workers and helper to 65 years.
It also urged the Chief Minister to separate the state’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) from the Social Welfare.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/anganwadi-workers-take-out-rally/

 
Imphal Jul 19 UNA : The Supreme Court ruling on scrapped holding of a single common entrance test (NEET) for admission to MBBS, BDS and post-graduate courses in all medical colleges has created once again controversy in Manipur.
While government was understood to have started preparation for conducting the entrance exam for selection of government nominees for the courses, student bodies pressed for resignation of the state health minister and education commission on moral ground even though they supported conduct of the entrance text.
The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has urged state health minister and commissioner to resign from their respective posts immediately for failing to interpret the ruling of Supreme Court on the matter.
Actually, Manipur government was about to conduct the state pre-medical test on June 9 last. But it was cancelled all of a sudden on June 6 following a decision of state cabinet citing a Supreme Court ruling, which is not related to the issue of conducting of state pre-medical test at all, the student pressure group alleged.
Taking moral responsibility of this, health minister and health commissioner resign, they demanded alleging that they were incapable and not fit to remain in their respective posts as they had misled the public by misinterpreting the ruling of Supreme Court.
The students’ body demanded the authorities concerned to conduct the state pre-medical test (PMT) as soon as possible in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
The three judge bench headed by Chief Justice AltamasKabir, who was retiring on Thursday, in a majority 2-1 verdict quashed the notifications for the National Eligibility-cum- Entrance Test (NEET).
The CJI’s view was shared by Justice VikramjitSen but Justice A R Dave disagreed with them and upheld the NEET saying the policy was “legal” and it would stop corrupt practice of undeserving students getting admission by paying huge capitation fee or donation.
It quashed the notifications issed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Dental Council Of India (DCI) by which admissions to MBBS, BDS and Post-graduate courses to medical colleges were to be made solely on the basis of NEET and States and privately-run institutions were prevented from conducting any separate examination.
Meanwhile, the Parent’s Association of Selected Candidates (NEET UG-2013) which was formed in the wake of government cancellation of the entrance text today drew the attention of chief minister to issue instructions to the concerned authority to start/process counseling for admission to MBBS / BDS courses as per NEET UG-2013 results.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club, Imphal secretary of the association, Y Tomba Singh told the media persons that a memorandum has been submitted to the chief minister, making available copies to minister of education, principal secretary, director of health& family welfare.

tudent pressure group alleged.
Taking moral responsibility of this, health minister and health commissioner resign, they demanded alleging that they were incapable and not fit to remain in their respective posts as they had misled the public by misinterpreting the ruling of Supreme Court.
The students’ body demanded the authorities concerned to conduct the state pre-medical test (PMT) as soon as possible in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
The three judge bench headed by Chief Justice AltamasKabir, who was retiring on Thursday, in a majority 2-1 verdict quashed the notifications for the National Eligibility-cum- Entrance Test (NEET).
The CJI’s view was shared by Justice VikramjitSen but Justice A R Dave disagreed with them and upheld the NEET saying the policy was “legal” and it would stop corrupt practice of undeserving students getting admission by paying huge capitation fee or donation.
It quashed the notifications issed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Dental Council Of India (DCI) by which admissions to MBBS, BDS and Post-graduate courses to medical colleges were to be made solely on the basis of NEET and States and privately-run institutions were prevented from conducting any separate examination.
Meanwhile, the Parent’s Association of Selected Candidates (NEET UG-2013) which was formed in the wake of government cancellation of the entrance text today drew the attention of chief minister to issue instructions to the concerned authority to start/process counseling for admission to MBBS / BDS courses as per NEET UG-2013 results.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club, Imphal secretary of the association, Y Tomba Singh told the media persons that a memorandum has been submitted to the chief minister, making available copies to minister of education, principal secretary, director of health& family welfare.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/student-body-demands-resignation-of-health-minister/

IMPHAL, July 19 NNN : A one day consultation which was held today at the Diocesan Social Service Society, Mantripukhri, Imphal on the theme ‘Understanding the rights of the Indigenous Peoples in the Northeast” was jointly organized by the Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Indigenous Women’s Forum of Northeast India (IWFNEI), Karbi Human Rights Watch (KHRW), Zo Indigenous Forum (ZIF), Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights organization (SIPHRO) & United Naga Council (UNC) held today at the Diocesan Social Service Society, Mantripukhri, Imphal, Manipur.
The objective of the consultation was to understand the rights of indigenous peoples in the Northeast and to develop solidarity and common understanding of the Indigenous peoples of Northeast on the essence of the right to self determination.
The consultation proposed setting up of an inclusive network of indigenous peoples in North East India and their organizations to collectively strengthen and facilitate relations, communications and solidarities amongst indigenous peoples while at the same time endeavoring to safeguard and ensure that the rights of the indigenous peoples are recognized and respected.
The consultation reaffirms and recognizes the centrifugal role of women in promoting indigenous peoples’ rights to self determination. Women should be strengthened and indigenous women-based organizations actively supported if rights toself determination are to be truly and sustainably realized by the indigenous communities in its overall holistic essence.
That, during the consultation, intense discussions were held on the very legitimacy of several organizations purporting to be indigenous organizations or working for indigenous peoples while in reality, they are not. The discussions also noted that there are indigenous organizations that ironically support the existence and activities of such organizations.
Given these facts, the consultation reaffirms the right to self determination of indigenous peoples and is fully committed to the realization of their deeply held aspirations and expectations without being covertly and insidiously manipulated.
The representatives felt that the self identification of Indigenous Peoples in North East India should be recognized and accepted by other indigenous communities.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/consultation-on-indigenous-people/