Day: July 4, 2014

IMPHAL, June 4: A team of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights will be visiting the victim families of the tragic Thoubal Leishangthem Kaeli Makhong road accident tomorrow, said chairperson of the commission A Nabachandra.

A tragic and unfortunate road mishap involving a school van carrying 24 young students and a Tata truck yesterday morning around 6 had killed an eight-year-old student and left 16 other students injured five of them stated to be serious.

The injured students and the van driver who was also injured are all getting treatment at the Shija Hospital.

Following the tragic accident, this IFP reporter had visited the commission office and had a brief talk with the chairperson this afternoon.

He said there are already recommended guidelines regarding the transportation of school children since 2013.

However, no one seems to abide by the rules, he lamented.

He said regarding the implementation of the recommended guidelines in the districts, it is the prerogative of the district Child Welfare Committees to take the initiative.

When their efforts remain ineffective or when the district committees appeal for intervention, the state commission steps in and take stronger actions to impose the guidelines for transportation of students, he said.

Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal told IFP that within two days, the committee will held a meeting with the school students’ parents’ association, the van drivers’ association and the concerned authorities.

During the meeting, the number of students to be allowed in a school transportation vehicle will be fixed, he said.

He further said that as of now, he has contacted the Integrated Child Development Services, the District Transport Office and other concern authorities over the issue.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights has strongly deplored that the concerned State government departments and Board have ignored and failed to comply with the recommendations of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, MCPCR regarding the setting up of a comprehensive school van/bus transport policy.

It said the MCPCR had passed a set of recommendations consisting of some 11 points in its Sou-moto case No 4 of 2013 in connection with the falling unconscious of 15 school going students inside a school van on May 23 in Imphal East.

Further according to the statement, the recommendations include constitution of a committee consisting of School Managing Committee, Van/Bus owners/drivers and representatives of parents, to fix the number of students in a school in a van/bus, among others.

It said the commission had forwarded its recommendations to the principal secretary (Education/S), the commissioner (Transport) and the member secretary, Manipur Pollution Control Board, however, these departments and the board has remained silent till date.

The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights have further appealed to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister to review the collapsing working condition of the Thoubal District Hospital, which had failed to give first-aid and ambulance service to the critically injured students.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/negligence-of-safety-guidelines-behind-thoubal-accident-mcpcr-macr/

Selection of 87 SI/Jem candidates withheld

IMPHAL, July 4: The State government is withholding 87 candidates selected for the post of SIs and Jemadars after detecting irregularities in the Home department’s recruitment process.

The 87 selected candidates faced a direct recruitment process in 2010.

According to a highly placed source, Additional Secretary of the State Home department had directed the Director General of Police Shahid Ahmed IPS in a written letter no- E-31/29/2010-PHQ (admn)/1779 dated March 3, 2014 to conduct an inquiry after receiving various complaints from the public and the selected candidates of SI and Jemadar posts demanding their appointment letters. As a result, a high level committee under ADGP (Home Guards) T Pachau conducted an inquiry and submitted the report which probed the allegations made against the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors and Jemadars.

The Additional Secretary (Home) examined the report thoroughly after which the government has decided to withhold their appointments until further notice.

87 candidates selected for the posts of Sub-Inspectors and Jemaders were found to be either over aged or belonging to the general category but entering their names under OBC, submitting fake sport certificates from YAS which couldn’t be found in YAS records, tempering with their dates of births in their Board of Secondary Education certificates, submitting fake NIOS certificates and BA certificates, not facing the Viva-voce, entering their names under SCs category when they belong to OBC and changing their height from 5’2’’ into 5’3’’ respectively.

The source further stated that the Police head quarters may take necessary actions to issue appointment orders in consideration for the remaining selected candidates in the combined merit list of SIs and Jemandars after following the required formalities.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/home-dept-cracks-the-whip-after-detecting-irregularities/

IMPHAL, July 4: The JAC formed in connection with the death of Sairem (n) Elangbam (o) Sushila and her daughter has been assured an enquiry by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio, said her uncle S Robindro today.

The deputy Chief Minister has also assured to instruct the SP of Imphal West for investigation into the case, he said.

The JAC had today accompanied by the local MLA submitted a memorandum to the deputy Chief Minister.

He said the deputy Chief Minister has also appealed the family members to take back the bodies and fulfil their religious obligations and responsibilities.

However, the JAC and family were adamant against taking back the bodies as the post mortem analysis reports were not shown to them, he said.

Spokesperson of the JAC, Hidangmayum manoj Sharma said that since the truth will come out only with the post mortem report, the JAC was adamant against taking back the body without knowing the post mortem analysis report.

The case is not that of a suicide, but it is plain murder with both the husband Dhiren and his first wife Bidyaluxmi being main suspects, he alleged.

Even if the government attempts to dispose the bodies, the JAC will block any such attempt, he said.

The JAC also staged a sit in protest at the Tera Keithel today with and displayed placards and a photo of the deceased.

On the other hand, Elangbam Leikai Meira Lup also staged a sit in protest against the dead at the Elangbam leikai Waiting Shed.

President of the lup, Ningthoujam Bashanti said the incident is not a suicide and the government should bring out the truth at the earliest.

Agitations will not stop until the real culprits are produced, she said while assuring all possible help to the JAC to fight for justice.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/deputy-cm-has-assured-action-sushila-jac/

IMPHAL, July 4: Relatives of the eight-year-old student killed in yesterday’s Thoubal Leishangthem Kaeli Makhong road accident and others who are undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital stormed the Chief Minister’s Bungalow this evening demanding the arrest of the Tata truck driver involved and financial assistance for treatment of those injured.

It has been learnt that the family members met with the Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi along with managing director Shija Hospital and Research Institute, Lamphel Dr Kh Palin in the evening after which the body of the student was handed over for post mortem at JNIMS and subsequently over to the family members.

Earlier in the evening, speaking to the media in front of the Chief Minister’s bungalow, a relative of one of the students had alleged that the hospital authority had denied handing over the body as the family was yet to clear the bills.

She had also alleged that the hospital has refused to continue with the treatment of the injured students and demanded clearance of the hospital dues first, which has already crossed Rs Seven lakh for all the students combined, she added.

Others said that the Chief Minister being the local MLA should provide some financial assistance to the families of those students undergoing treatment.

A large number of people comprising of relatives and local neighbours of the students had today convened a meeting in their locality and later proceeded towards Imphal to meet the Chief Minister in the afternoon.

The vehicles carrying the protestors were stopped in front of the Manipur University Gate by police personnel on duty, however, the angry family members and locals managed to force their way through the security barricade.

They were further detained at the Kakwa Bazar area, but later allowed to proceed towards Imphal escorted by a police team.

On reaching the Chief Minister’s bungalow, the protestors were angered after they were told that the Chief Minister was busy and tried to storm the CM’s bungalow.

Later, police took in some of their representatives in the bungalow.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/8-year-olds-body-claimed-families-seek-financial-relief-for-others-injured/

KANGPOKPI, July 4: As part of the Kuki Inpi Manipur proposed ‘peaceful protest rally’ taken out today in eight selected locations in the State, thousands of Kuki people from Kangpokpi and its adjoining areas also joined the rally at Kangpokpi to show their solidarity in the demand for justice “long denied to them”.

More than 6000 Kuki people congregated at Brig Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi this morning around 11 am before marching towards the addl DC complex to submit a memorandum though the United Naga Council (UNC) has expressed serious concern over KIM’s proposed rally.

Addressing the crowd Dr S Chongloi, secretary Kuki Movement for Human Rights, a delegate of Kuki Inpi Manipur at Kangpokpi rally today pointed out that the United Naga Council on October22, 1992 served a ‘Quit Notice’ duly signed by the then UNC president RK Thekho and secretary Francis to the Kuki people settled in Manipur to flush out the Kukis from their land before adding that the same ‘Quit Notice’ copy was openly given to the State Government through DC, SDO and the central government while it was also published in all leading newspapers of the State.

The Quit Notice warned the Kuki people to face the ugliest form of torment if they (the Kuki) failed to desert their land within a stipulated time continued Dr S Chongloi while pointing out that the governments glaring apathy and negligence towards the open warning against the Kukis led to the slaughter of 905 innocent Kukis, including children, men, women and the aged; uprooting of 360 villages; and displacement of around 1,00,000 people who were still denied to go back to their own villages by the NSCN-IM in 1993.

The Nagas are not fighting against the Kukis, Dr S Chongloi asserted before adding that such ‘criminal and genocidal acts’ of the NSCN-IM towards the innocent Kuki is a direct challenge to the Government of India and desiring independence for the Nagas.

Dr S Chongloi further continued that with Government of India remaining a mute spectator, the traditional Kuki apex body Kuki Inpi had to be revived on June 29, 1993 where three solid resolutions were adopted by the Kukis.

As per the resolution when UNC was called upon for clarification of the murdering, they blatantly kept mum saying that the NSCN-IM forbid them from saying anything, Dr S Chongloi added.

He said the Meitei also disagreed with the terror unleashed by the NSCN-IM upon the Kukis when asked.

The Kukis then asked the Government of India to deliver Justice to those innocent Kuki killed; uprooted villages and those displaced Kuki people who are still unable to go back to their own villages with more than 60 memoranda already submitted in this regard, noted Dr S Chongloi.

He added that even United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UNPFII came to acknowledge the plights of the Kukis and the terror acts of NSCN-IM when Black Day was observed and a mass protest rally had been carry out on January 10, 1996 at the State capital demanding the Government of India to first settle the grievances or the plight of the Kuki people with justice.

Today’s rally is a continuation of the said 1996 Imphal rally with the same demand after 18 years asserted Dr S Chongloi while affirming that now if the Government of India fails to settle the plights of the Kukis with justice before they reached any possible agreement with the NSCN-IM Government of India would be assumed as ‘Murderer, destroyer and disarticulator’.

The Kuki traditional policy is non-communal, peaceful co-existence and justice for all, he said while adding that KIM’s movement is for justice, peace and harmony.

The congregate marched towards the addl DC Complex via NH-2 and later submitted a Memorandum of Protest Rally to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi through addl DC, Sadar Hills, Senapati district by Seikhomang Khongsai and N. Sehjalien Gangte, president and secretary respectively of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills in the presence of Dr S Chongloi on behalf of the Kuki people.

The rally witnessed placards reading, “Settle first the plights of victimized Kukis”, “NSCN-IM committed war crime, NSCN-IM is terrorist”, “No Fencing in the Middle of Hill Independent Country”, “Justice delayed is justice denied”, etc. by the participants.

The memorandum implored the Prime Minister to understand and first settle the plight of the Kuki people before any possible agreement with the NSCN-IM and urged the PM to instruct the responsible authority to serve and restore justice while expressing hope that the Prime Minister’s immediate intervention will usher in peace and harmony while the people will see the light of justice.

Copies of the same memorandum has also been address to Secretary General, UN, Geneva Ban Ki Moon; Chief Secretariat, UNPFII, New York, UN HQs; all Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States; National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi.

Today rally at Kangpokpi was also participated by members of Kuki Inpi Gunhom Lhang, Kuki Inpi Twilang Lhang, Kuki Inpi Twibul Lhang, Kuki Inpi Moltam Lhang, Kuki Students’ Organization Sadar Hills, KWU Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization and Kangpokpi Youth Union apart from various other CSOs and the general public.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/more-than-6000-congregated-at-kpi-rally/

LAMKA, July 4: A state wide rally planned by the KUKI community under the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) to press the Union government to compensate, what they alleged, was a killing of more than 900 civilian including children and women, was also held at Lamka with approximately 30000 people joining the rally to pressurise the government of India prior to any solution on the Naga Issue.

A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister through the District Commissioner of CCpur PK Jha who assure them that he will forward it to the PM as soon as possible.

The memorandum said their plea to rehabilitate and give security to the 360 displaced villages that resulted in the displacement of the over one Lakh Kukis , to the last five PM, had been met with deaf ear. Yet they place hope with the new PM, it said

The rally marched from the main Lamka Public Ground to the DC office at Tuibuang to submit the memorandum which was signed by the Kuki Inpi Ccpur(KIC) president Mr Thngjang Haokip and general secretary of KIC Mr Danial Gangte.

Placard with slogans like ‘we demand immediate settlement of victimised Indian Kukis before any agreement is arrived with NSCN-IM’, ‘ Punish the murderers as per the law of the land and ‘killing of women and children is a crime against humanity’ etc.

KIC president told the media that they will go to Delhi under the leadership of KIM very soon, and further action will be taken base on the response of Delhi. He said the copies of the memorandum are being submitted to the UN Chief Ban Ki Moon, the CM of all northeast States and other bodies of the UN.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/ccpur-joins-in-kim-rally/

BISHNUPUR, July 4: Manipur’s Governor VK Duggal, today inspected the under construction water supply scheme at Loukoipat, Bishnupur district.

The scheme was constructed under the Urban Infrastructure Development Structure for Small and Medium Town at an estimated cost of Rs 2,85,000,00.

The construction work is nearing completion except for laying of pipelines.

The Governor arrived at the district head quarter around 11 am where an interaction programme was held with the District Level Officers (DLO) at the conference hall of the DC Bishnupur hosted by the DC Jason A Shimray, himself.

From there the Governor left for the Loukoipat water supply scheme and then visited Kasturba Gandhi Ballika Vidyalaya, Thamnapokpi Moirang.

After having inspected the infrastructure of the school the Governor planted tree at the campus.

During his visit at the school, he exhorted the students to grow up be responsible adults and take care to preserve the environment around them.

Meanwhile, briefing media persons on the purpose of his visit, VK Duggal said he was in the district so as to interact with the concerned district officials including project officers, DLOs, Zilla Parisads members, and discussed important issues confronting the district.

The Governor also visited NHPC Loktak project where he had his lunch.

The first lady and the better half of the Governor, who accompanied the Governor, also visitd the Emoinu Self Help Group and New Life Foundation Children Moirang.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/governor-inspects-water-supply-scheme-at-loukoipat/

UKHRUL, July 4: Relatively a new scheme, the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is aimed at providing a safe and protective environment for the development and well-being of children under any circumstances. And Manipur Government has already received funds from the Centre for implementing the scheme throughout the State.

However, since the State government has not released the fund to the District Child Protection Society (DCPS) Ukhrul till date, implementation of various targets under ICPS continues to get stalled in the district.

This constraint was disclosed by DCPS officials who attended a one day consultative meeting on ICPS & ECCE as resource persons at TTA conference hall on Friday. With a view to enlighten the public about the schemes, the consultation was organized by UDAR-MACR which is an alliance body of NGOs, CBOs and Human Rights Organizations of the district.

Speaking at the occasion, Ringshangphi, member secy DCPS, said that funds for ICPS are already in the State’s coffer but as the funds are yet to reach the concerned district unit/implementing unit, various programs under the scheme remained stalled.

Informing that the fund had lapsed once earlier, Ringshangphi who is also DPO, ICDS cell Ukhrul, lamented that this happened because the State government has delayed necessary procedures like interviews, appointment of staff while holding back funds release for reasons best known to themselves.

Highlighting the objective of the ICPS, Indramani of DCPS informed that the concept of the scheme is primarily to provide homely environment to children whose parents /guardians are no more.

Informing this, he further added that sending such children to institutes should be the last option.

Meanwhile, calling upon all concerned to cooperate with the department in ensuring successful implementation of such schemes, DCPS officials opined that unless the public, NGOs, churches, civil societies etc. are involved, various objectives under the scheme could never be achieved.

The officials also highlighted the strategies for implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to be adopted in the district.

During the program, many participants raised relevant queries and put up proposals in the interest of child development programs.

Participants called for an urgent need to set up a girls shelter home within Ukhrul town apart from pointing out the lack of park, recreation hall, library etc. for children in the district.

The program was attended by representatives from CBOs, NGOs, Churches, UDACR, CWC, local leaders and media.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/ukhrul-deliberates-on-child-welfare-schemes-status/

IMPHAL, July 4: Seven students of Imphal made their parents proud by garnering State Ranks in the Olympiad Awards held recently in Delhi.

Two students got State rank 1, these are Patel Lairenjam from Class VI of Little Flower School and Siakhom Amarjit Singh from Class VIII of Tiny Tots’ Unique School, in International Mathematics Olympiad and National Science Olympiad, respectively.

The student who got state Rank 2 is- Asish Naorem From Class XII of Comet School, in International English Olympiad. Following with State Rank 3 are Geetapriya khwairakpam from Class VIII of The Frobel English School and Ningthoujam Rakesh Singh from Class XII of International English Olympiad; Laishram Yangba from Class 1st of The Antartic English School and Ahanthem Vivek Singh from Class XI of Herbert School, in International Mathematics Olympiad.

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) recently organized its International Award ceremony to felicitate International winning students, teachers and principals of Olympiad exams for the Academic year 2013-14. The British Council and BBC Knowledge are associated with SOF for the Olympiads since its inception.

The function started with the lighting of the lamp at The Chinmaya Mission Auditorium in Delhi by the Chief Guest Justice Dipak Misra, Judge Supreme Court of India. Guests of Honor Prof. YS Rajan, Chairman NIT Manipur, Mr. Richard Everett– Director Education, British Council India and Mrs. Suprama Misra also recorded their presence.

The function started with the lighting of the lamp at The Chinmaya Mission Auditorium in Delhi by the Chief Guest Justice Mr. Dipak Misra, Judge Supreme Court of India. Guests of Honor Prof. Y S Rajan, Chairman NIT Manipur, Richard Everett, Director Education, British Council India and Suprama Misra also recorded their presence.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/state-lads-return-with-state-ranks-in-olympiad-awards/