CM, Ibobi addressing seminar at MR on Monday.
Imphal Jul 28 MNS/UNA: Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh Sunday stressed the need for a serious introspection to the solve the problem of smuggling and abuse of psychotropic substances in the state, asserting that inspite of stringent laws and Acts, “many unscrupulous and selfish people appear to be still indulging in smuggling of such substances.”
Addressing the inaugural function of a one-day seminar cum workshop on relationship between police and media held at the banquet hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Sunday, the chief minister said that inspite of the stringent laws and Acts enacted by the government there appeared to be rampant misused of this (psychotropic) substance.
Reiterating that many unscrupulous and selfish people were still appear indulging in smuggling of such substances, the chief minister said that the law enforcing agencies like police and the Army are no exception to such illicit trades.
As a result of this, “We failed to see its reduction,” he said, adding “should we go for its profitability unchecked without caring for its ill effects to the society.”
“We need a serious introspection to solve the problem before more damage is done,” the chief minister said, observing the problem becoming so pervasive and stressing the urgent step to stop this menace.
The seminar cum workshop jointly organized by the Manipur police and All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) mainly concentrated on the role of media and police in dealing with crime against women, mob justice and smuggling and abuse of psychotropic substances which were on the raised in Manipuri society.
In his address at the inaugural function, the chief minister asserted media working in tandem with the academicians and law enforcing agencies was the need of the hour.
“The role of media in bringing awareness of these social evils to the general public and persuade even the crime prone persons to desist from committing crimes may perhaps be possible when media in tandem with the academicians, law enforcing agencies like the police is the need of the hour,” he said.
Media, academicians and law enforcing agencies were the moist powerful stakeholders in the society and they have to evolve a means to confront this menace concertedly, he added.
The seminar cum workshop was organized under the theme, “how police and media can work in tandem o deliver better justice to the people.”
Speakers and panelists including the chief minister defined “mob justice” as taking the law into one’s own hand without going into the allegations of crimes by the mob. In the process the lives and properties of alleged perpetrators were inflicted or destroyed then and there without cross checking the alleged crimes.
“Very often such justice violates individual’s human rights.
Initiation of such action without going to through the legal process of police investigation often resulted to the acquittal of the criminals in the courts,” chief minister O Ibobi observed.
The seminar observed a raise in the crime against women in Manipuri society. Despite widespread media coverage and public disapproval, incidents of such crimes against women are increasing and seriously affecting the society.
Image of the society which was once considered very respectful to the womenfolk in the past has been tarnished.
“Unless something is done in time our society will not be safe for the womenfolk to venture out alone and in lonely places. Ways to check this crime is the need of the hour,” Ibobi said, sharing his opinion during the seminar.
State revenue and law minister Th Devendro and president of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union’s Wangkhemcha Shamjai attended the function as president and guest of honour of the inaugural function which the chief minister attended as chief guest.
In the first session of the seminar talkers namely K Sarojkumar Sharma, correspondent of The Times of India, M Rajen, additional SP Imphal East, Dr Homen, Prof of Bodhachandra College delivered speech on mob justice. Dr M. Mohendra, former member of steering committee, NER Vision 2020 moderated the session.
In the second session which was moderated by state DGP Y Joykumar, women journalists Anjulika Samom and Ratika Yumnam and women police officer Laishram Sarda talked on crime against women.
The third session discussed on the topic police-media relationship.
Talkers of the third session were Salam Bharat Bhushan, founding editor of Hueiyen Lanpao, SP Th Radheshyam of Bishnupur district and assistant prof Natasha Elangbamof Mass Com Department of MU. Editor of Manipur Mail N Sanatomba was the moderator.
The menace of psychotropic substance in the state was discussed in the fourth session of the seminar cum workshop. Rinku Khumukcham, editor of Imphal Times, IGP Clay Khongsai (IPS) and Chinglen prof Meisnam of Economics Department, MU were the talkers of the fourth session. Prof. L. Lokendra Registrar, MU attended as the moderator.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/seminar-on-police-and-press-held/
