ATSUM caucus calls for white paper on edn in hill areas
By : Newmai News Network 9/29/2007 2:08:10 AM
Imphal, Sept 28: The All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) sponsored Caucus 2007 under the theme, "One Day Academic Session on Manipur Tribals: Today and Tomorrow" was successfully held on September 27 at Kuki Inn, Imphal, according to the ATSUM Information and Publicity Secretary Joseph R.Hmar. The ATSUM leader claimed that more than 300 delegates from all federal units, Manipur University, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), MIT, etc turned up for the programme.
Joseph R.Hmar further stated that besides an extensive seminar paper presented by Prof.Gangmumei Kamei on the topic-Manipur Tribal Areas Administration--Today and Tomorrow, a panel discussion on 'The State of Tribal Education in Manipur' was organised during the programme and made some important recommendations during the two sessions of the Caucus 2007
The first point recommendation was on the school education. The recommendation says that Caucus 2007 could not understand how the state government work-out the number of vacancies of teachers in government schools of the hill districts. "We therefore strongly demand that the government give out a 'white paper' on the staff position - sanctioned posts, present strength on school wise, district wise and then all hill districts".
Caucus 2007 strongly suggests the involvement and participation of the local tribal population in the day to day functioning and administration including construction of school buildings and staff quarters in their villages.
It is also suggested that communitization of primary education in the tribal areas as a part of decentralization policy and the local villagers having the power to issue leaf of absence, detain or release the salaries of teachers and further initiate action for further recruitment of new teachers or termination of teachers by the higher authorities.
The seminar expresses with regret that the much publicized Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA) project is not facilitating education, primary level in particular as anticipated. It is therefore felt that the state government of Manipur reviews the whole scheme with ATSUM caucus calls for white paper on edn in hill areas inputs from inside and outside the government.
Caucus 2007 also strongly reiterates the recommendation of Caucus 2005 that reads, "In view of the government induced decline in the quality of education in the hills of Manipur the certain points have been recommended for the government to take up in order to redeem itself for failing the hill peoples in their right to education which which include opening of one Model Primary School and one Model Junior High School in each of the blocks of every sub-division of hill district. (for administrative and infrastructural requirements/ convenience the two may be clubbed as one in one campus), opening of one Model High-Residential school in each Legislative Assembly Constituency in the hill area of Manipur. These MH-R-schools should be run and funded on the lines of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), opening of one Model Higher secondary-Residential school in each of the Hill districts. These MHS-R schools should share many key infrastructures and facilities with the High Residential schools or Colleges that already exist in the district headquarters, to save on overheads while getting efficient administration and work. The colleges too should be made into Model Colleges.
This year's ATSUM sponsored caucus also still strongly felt the need for the government to club together school and college education under one department-Department of school and College Education (DSCE), and then, for effective and meaningful administration/management, bifurcate the new department into Two Separate Services-the Manipur Hills education Service (MHES) and the Manipur Valley Education Service (MVES), whereby both are separate entities having their own education Ministers, own Commissioners, own Directors and Directorates.
On the higher education front it nsists that 33 percent reservation for SC/STs in all appointment, promotion and admission for various courses must be followed in Manipur University for all time to come. it also questions why the circular of the University Grant Commission, which says that, " a tribal who comes in the merit list shall be treated as general candidate without affecting the tribal quota" is not at all followed.
The caucus suggests the opening up of Post Graduate Courses in all district headquarters of the state or where there are minimums of 10 students for a particular course of study.
It stated that the conversion of Manipur University into Central University, though laudable, is not giving a better and fairer deal for the tribal students and tribal employees of Manipur University, with regard to seats in courses of study or hostel, employments, reservation, etc. "In the light of the above, it is recommended that, the government initiates steps for the establishment of a Hill University, no matter how small, for the specific upliftment and amelioration of the decades long neglected educational needs of the tribals of Manipur," said the Caucus 2007 recommendation.
Another recommendation of the caucus said, "It has been regretfully noted that the government of Manipur has neglected the upkeep of all 7 (seven) general colleges in the hill areas of Manipur, thereby deliberately denying quality higher education to the tribal population trapped in hilly remoteness".
The caucus stated that given the circumstances, it recommended that the existing 7 colleges be prepared adequately to form the nucleus of the future Hill University by making them Model Colleges, in the truest sense of the term; Till such time as declaration/up gradation to University status is reached, any future appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the government Higher Secondary School and Colleges should be institution specific, so that a teacher appointed to such a post will serve her/his entire service career in that one institution whose advertised post the teacher applied for.
On the Hill Areas Administration the Caucus 2007 welcomes the proposal of the state government for holding election of District Council if there is guarantee that all powers and functions and subject matters given in the Manipur Hill Areas District Council Act of 1971 is enforced and implemented to the fullest.
The Caocus 2007 also stated that land ownership should remain solely with the tribal people and therefore, Forest- a subject so dear to the tribals should also be handed over to the District Council.
It rues the fact that no p[roper policy on Education is define for the District Council and also suggest the handing over all education institutions/schools upto the Jr. High School levels to the District Council.
"Extension of Panchayati Raj institutions in tribal areas in any form is unacceptable as tribals by nature are not suited for such system of administration," stated the recommendation, adding, "it is painful to note that the Hill Areas Committee which is a constitutional body unlike those committee constituted by the speaker of the state's Legislative Assembly is not functioning as it was meant for and therefore suggest its strengthening and to the maximum".
======================================
450 more fake appointments in dept, say outlawed group
By : A Staff Reporter 9/29/2007 2:10:16 AM
IMPHAL, Sept 28: A UDC working in the directorate of education (s), was shot in the leg by cadres of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, KYKL today for allegedly siphoning off over 50 lakh rupees of public funds.
Arambam Chiranjoy, 55, who was earlier working as cashier in charge of the directorate of education (s), was abandoned after being shot in the leg at Nambol Phoijing late this afternoon, and has been evacuated to Shija Hospital, Langol.
It may be mentioned Chiranjoy, who hails from Uripok Polem Leikai, had been abducted back on September 10 last by some unidentified armed youths.
Producing Chiranjoy before mediapersons somewhere in the Imphal valley prior to the shooting today, a spokesperson of the KYKL ONK said Chiranjoy was found to have siphoned off a total amount of Rs. 53,06,246 sanctioned under PMGY and ACA for construction and repair of school buildings etc by manipulating bills and account books.
Giving instances, the spokesperson said under bill no. 420-23/03/06, whereas the actual amount was Rs 92,45,579, it was inflated to Rs 1,02,48,579, with Chiranjoy pocketing Edn (s) cashier punished by KYKL for corruption
the difference. Similarly, a bill for an amount of Rs. 51,73,964 was inflected to Rs 93,75,108.
Stating that Chiranjoy had confessed to the crimes alleged against him, the spokesperson said apart from shooting him in the leg as punishment, he would be barred from working in the education department forthwith.
Further, the amount he has siphoned off would have to be paid up to the KYKL, and he would not be allowed to draw salary, pension or withdraw GPF funds until the amount is paid up, the spokesperson said.
The KYKL has also disclosed that its investigations has turned up another 450 fake appointees in the education department.
The KYKL, which made available a list of the teachers concerned, said the many of these 450 teachers had been appointed illegally on adhoc basis in batchs by the concerned directors and commissioners after October 2001 in collusion with fake appointment masterminds. Many of these have got regularisation surreptitiously, a statement issued by the group said.
The statement further stated that though the state government was aware of these fake appointments, it has refrained from taking action against them because the concerned officials and ministers have been bribed not to do so. This was also the reason why though verification of fake appointments was done, the reports of the same were not made public, it said.
The KYKL statement reiterated that the group was determined to wipe out the phenomenon of fake appointments and also to punish teachers who enjoy their salaries without bothering to attend to their duties, in the interest of society and the student community. It warned the fake appointees that drastic action would be taken against them if they do not repent and rescind their steps. It further said if there are any genuine appointees whose names appear on the list, they should approach the KYKL within a month with adequate proof.
The KYKL also made a strong appeal to the general public to stop encouraging the trend of paying bribes to secure government jobs either through direct participation or tacitly by remaining silent. It further said the group considers both bribe-taker and bribe giver guilty.
===============================================
Violation of reproductive rights; Many women tell their tales of domestic horror
By : A Staff Reporter 9/29/2007 2:09:12 AM
IMPHAL, Sep 28: One of the basic rights of women which is often taken for granted is the reproductive rights. Reproductive right is neither exercised by the women nor is there adequate awareness about it.
Among the different forms of violence women in Manipur faces is the violation of their reproductive right. Even though a woman’s body is the domain where a foetus develops leading to the birth of a baby, she practically has little control over the fate of the baby.
Thirty years old Shalini (name changed on request) said tearfully, “My husband destroyed my life. I couldhave been a mother but he left me in a state where I can’t fulfill my most cherished dream of motherhood.”
Shalini got married to her childhood lover with dreams for a happy married life.
“My dream gradually turn to nightmare. Soon after our wedding my husband left me at our village. He would stay for days at Imphal saying that he is busy with meetings. My happiest moment was when I got pregnant. However my husband showed little interest and did not take me to doctor. My child died soon after delivery.
“My next pregnancy was miscarried. I pleaded my husband that I want to have a child. During my third pregnancy I was told to take bed rest. However my husband left me to do household work and serve my in-laws. Soon I had another miscarriage. Later I learnt that he married another woman at Imphal and had a child too.
“When I asked him for explanation, he threatened me saying ‘what can you do to harm me’. Earlier I used to respect him since he works for many organizations. I have started process for filing a case against him now.”
Married as a minor, 17 years old Renu (name changed on request) was harassed by her in-laws for not bring dowry. She got married in 2007 and got pregnant soon.
Her in-laws and husband started torturing her and by the time she was third month into pregnancy, she and her husband were made to sleep in separate rooms.
Renu said, “During the fifth month of pregnancy, they took me to the Bishnupur CHC saying that I need a health check up. There I was given two injections. After that I was sick, and lost my baby. I overheard them saying that they will tell my parents I got the child Women of Manipur reveal horror stories
aborted willingly. Upon hearing this I confronted them and my husband beat me. Soon I was left at my parental place by my mother-in-law and since then I have been staying there.”
Having lost her baby and left helpless, Renu said that neither was she informed nor her consent taken when she was forcefully made to abort her baby. She said, “Rather they told the doctor that I am mentally imbalanced and that I am immoral and conceived the baby while my husband was away.”
Memmi (name changed on request) was also tortured by her in-laws for not bring any dowry. From the day she conceived, she said her mother-in-law tried different means to get the child aborted so that her son could marry a richer woman.
Memmi said, “My mother-in-law forced a doctor from our neighbourhood to give some medicine to get me aborted.
I was given syrup but I did not take since I suspected her. Later she mixed many herbs in my food and drink. I avoided food served by her. I gave birth to a son.
During my second pregnancy too my husband beat me severely. He brought a second wife. I was not given anything to eat for a week and finally they forced me to go back to my home.”
With her two children in class XII and X, Memmi could not afford to educate them anymore. She filed a case for maintenance from her husband.
Around thirty survivors of violence against women shared their varied experiences at the training hall of CSD today. Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary of Women Action for Development, said, “These women have lived through extraordinary atrocities and rights violation.
The sharing today is possible after they repeatedly requested to arrange a face-to-face interaction with media to personally convey their hardships.”
The forms of violence against women shared by these women are wide ranging. There were cases of physical violence, mental harassment and intolerable humiliations. In some cases sexual exploitation, including incest were reported.
The Sangai Express & The Imphal Free Press
By : Newmai News Network 9/29/2007 2:08:10 AM
Imphal, Sept 28: The All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) sponsored Caucus 2007 under the theme, "One Day Academic Session on Manipur Tribals: Today and Tomorrow" was successfully held on September 27 at Kuki Inn, Imphal, according to the ATSUM Information and Publicity Secretary Joseph R.Hmar. The ATSUM leader claimed that more than 300 delegates from all federal units, Manipur University, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), MIT, etc turned up for the programme.
Joseph R.Hmar further stated that besides an extensive seminar paper presented by Prof.Gangmumei Kamei on the topic-Manipur Tribal Areas Administration--Today and Tomorrow, a panel discussion on 'The State of Tribal Education in Manipur' was organised during the programme and made some important recommendations during the two sessions of the Caucus 2007
The first point recommendation was on the school education. The recommendation says that Caucus 2007 could not understand how the state government work-out the number of vacancies of teachers in government schools of the hill districts. "We therefore strongly demand that the government give out a 'white paper' on the staff position - sanctioned posts, present strength on school wise, district wise and then all hill districts".
Caucus 2007 strongly suggests the involvement and participation of the local tribal population in the day to day functioning and administration including construction of school buildings and staff quarters in their villages.
It is also suggested that communitization of primary education in the tribal areas as a part of decentralization policy and the local villagers having the power to issue leaf of absence, detain or release the salaries of teachers and further initiate action for further recruitment of new teachers or termination of teachers by the higher authorities.
The seminar expresses with regret that the much publicized Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA) project is not facilitating education, primary level in particular as anticipated. It is therefore felt that the state government of Manipur reviews the whole scheme with ATSUM caucus calls for white paper on edn in hill areas inputs from inside and outside the government.
Caucus 2007 also strongly reiterates the recommendation of Caucus 2005 that reads, "In view of the government induced decline in the quality of education in the hills of Manipur the certain points have been recommended for the government to take up in order to redeem itself for failing the hill peoples in their right to education which which include opening of one Model Primary School and one Model Junior High School in each of the blocks of every sub-division of hill district. (for administrative and infrastructural requirements/ convenience the two may be clubbed as one in one campus), opening of one Model High-Residential school in each Legislative Assembly Constituency in the hill area of Manipur. These MH-R-schools should be run and funded on the lines of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), opening of one Model Higher secondary-Residential school in each of the Hill districts. These MHS-R schools should share many key infrastructures and facilities with the High Residential schools or Colleges that already exist in the district headquarters, to save on overheads while getting efficient administration and work. The colleges too should be made into Model Colleges.
This year's ATSUM sponsored caucus also still strongly felt the need for the government to club together school and college education under one department-Department of school and College Education (DSCE), and then, for effective and meaningful administration/management, bifurcate the new department into Two Separate Services-the Manipur Hills education Service (MHES) and the Manipur Valley Education Service (MVES), whereby both are separate entities having their own education Ministers, own Commissioners, own Directors and Directorates.
On the higher education front it nsists that 33 percent reservation for SC/STs in all appointment, promotion and admission for various courses must be followed in Manipur University for all time to come. it also questions why the circular of the University Grant Commission, which says that, " a tribal who comes in the merit list shall be treated as general candidate without affecting the tribal quota" is not at all followed.
The caucus suggests the opening up of Post Graduate Courses in all district headquarters of the state or where there are minimums of 10 students for a particular course of study.
It stated that the conversion of Manipur University into Central University, though laudable, is not giving a better and fairer deal for the tribal students and tribal employees of Manipur University, with regard to seats in courses of study or hostel, employments, reservation, etc. "In the light of the above, it is recommended that, the government initiates steps for the establishment of a Hill University, no matter how small, for the specific upliftment and amelioration of the decades long neglected educational needs of the tribals of Manipur," said the Caucus 2007 recommendation.
Another recommendation of the caucus said, "It has been regretfully noted that the government of Manipur has neglected the upkeep of all 7 (seven) general colleges in the hill areas of Manipur, thereby deliberately denying quality higher education to the tribal population trapped in hilly remoteness".
The caucus stated that given the circumstances, it recommended that the existing 7 colleges be prepared adequately to form the nucleus of the future Hill University by making them Model Colleges, in the truest sense of the term; Till such time as declaration/up gradation to University status is reached, any future appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the government Higher Secondary School and Colleges should be institution specific, so that a teacher appointed to such a post will serve her/his entire service career in that one institution whose advertised post the teacher applied for.
On the Hill Areas Administration the Caucus 2007 welcomes the proposal of the state government for holding election of District Council if there is guarantee that all powers and functions and subject matters given in the Manipur Hill Areas District Council Act of 1971 is enforced and implemented to the fullest.
The Caocus 2007 also stated that land ownership should remain solely with the tribal people and therefore, Forest- a subject so dear to the tribals should also be handed over to the District Council.
It rues the fact that no p[roper policy on Education is define for the District Council and also suggest the handing over all education institutions/schools upto the Jr. High School levels to the District Council.
"Extension of Panchayati Raj institutions in tribal areas in any form is unacceptable as tribals by nature are not suited for such system of administration," stated the recommendation, adding, "it is painful to note that the Hill Areas Committee which is a constitutional body unlike those committee constituted by the speaker of the state's Legislative Assembly is not functioning as it was meant for and therefore suggest its strengthening and to the maximum".
======================================
450 more fake appointments in dept, say outlawed group
By : A Staff Reporter 9/29/2007 2:10:16 AM
IMPHAL, Sept 28: A UDC working in the directorate of education (s), was shot in the leg by cadres of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, KYKL today for allegedly siphoning off over 50 lakh rupees of public funds.
Arambam Chiranjoy, 55, who was earlier working as cashier in charge of the directorate of education (s), was abandoned after being shot in the leg at Nambol Phoijing late this afternoon, and has been evacuated to Shija Hospital, Langol.
It may be mentioned Chiranjoy, who hails from Uripok Polem Leikai, had been abducted back on September 10 last by some unidentified armed youths.
Producing Chiranjoy before mediapersons somewhere in the Imphal valley prior to the shooting today, a spokesperson of the KYKL ONK said Chiranjoy was found to have siphoned off a total amount of Rs. 53,06,246 sanctioned under PMGY and ACA for construction and repair of school buildings etc by manipulating bills and account books.
Giving instances, the spokesperson said under bill no. 420-23/03/06, whereas the actual amount was Rs 92,45,579, it was inflated to Rs 1,02,48,579, with Chiranjoy pocketing Edn (s) cashier punished by KYKL for corruption
the difference. Similarly, a bill for an amount of Rs. 51,73,964 was inflected to Rs 93,75,108.
Stating that Chiranjoy had confessed to the crimes alleged against him, the spokesperson said apart from shooting him in the leg as punishment, he would be barred from working in the education department forthwith.
Further, the amount he has siphoned off would have to be paid up to the KYKL, and he would not be allowed to draw salary, pension or withdraw GPF funds until the amount is paid up, the spokesperson said.
The KYKL has also disclosed that its investigations has turned up another 450 fake appointees in the education department.
The KYKL, which made available a list of the teachers concerned, said the many of these 450 teachers had been appointed illegally on adhoc basis in batchs by the concerned directors and commissioners after October 2001 in collusion with fake appointment masterminds. Many of these have got regularisation surreptitiously, a statement issued by the group said.
The statement further stated that though the state government was aware of these fake appointments, it has refrained from taking action against them because the concerned officials and ministers have been bribed not to do so. This was also the reason why though verification of fake appointments was done, the reports of the same were not made public, it said.
The KYKL statement reiterated that the group was determined to wipe out the phenomenon of fake appointments and also to punish teachers who enjoy their salaries without bothering to attend to their duties, in the interest of society and the student community. It warned the fake appointees that drastic action would be taken against them if they do not repent and rescind their steps. It further said if there are any genuine appointees whose names appear on the list, they should approach the KYKL within a month with adequate proof.
The KYKL also made a strong appeal to the general public to stop encouraging the trend of paying bribes to secure government jobs either through direct participation or tacitly by remaining silent. It further said the group considers both bribe-taker and bribe giver guilty.
===============================================
Violation of reproductive rights; Many women tell their tales of domestic horror
By : A Staff Reporter 9/29/2007 2:09:12 AM
IMPHAL, Sep 28: One of the basic rights of women which is often taken for granted is the reproductive rights. Reproductive right is neither exercised by the women nor is there adequate awareness about it.
Among the different forms of violence women in Manipur faces is the violation of their reproductive right. Even though a woman’s body is the domain where a foetus develops leading to the birth of a baby, she practically has little control over the fate of the baby.
Thirty years old Shalini (name changed on request) said tearfully, “My husband destroyed my life. I couldhave been a mother but he left me in a state where I can’t fulfill my most cherished dream of motherhood.”
Shalini got married to her childhood lover with dreams for a happy married life.
“My dream gradually turn to nightmare. Soon after our wedding my husband left me at our village. He would stay for days at Imphal saying that he is busy with meetings. My happiest moment was when I got pregnant. However my husband showed little interest and did not take me to doctor. My child died soon after delivery.
“My next pregnancy was miscarried. I pleaded my husband that I want to have a child. During my third pregnancy I was told to take bed rest. However my husband left me to do household work and serve my in-laws. Soon I had another miscarriage. Later I learnt that he married another woman at Imphal and had a child too.
“When I asked him for explanation, he threatened me saying ‘what can you do to harm me’. Earlier I used to respect him since he works for many organizations. I have started process for filing a case against him now.”
Married as a minor, 17 years old Renu (name changed on request) was harassed by her in-laws for not bring dowry. She got married in 2007 and got pregnant soon.
Her in-laws and husband started torturing her and by the time she was third month into pregnancy, she and her husband were made to sleep in separate rooms.
Renu said, “During the fifth month of pregnancy, they took me to the Bishnupur CHC saying that I need a health check up. There I was given two injections. After that I was sick, and lost my baby. I overheard them saying that they will tell my parents I got the child Women of Manipur reveal horror stories
aborted willingly. Upon hearing this I confronted them and my husband beat me. Soon I was left at my parental place by my mother-in-law and since then I have been staying there.”
Having lost her baby and left helpless, Renu said that neither was she informed nor her consent taken when she was forcefully made to abort her baby. She said, “Rather they told the doctor that I am mentally imbalanced and that I am immoral and conceived the baby while my husband was away.”
Memmi (name changed on request) was also tortured by her in-laws for not bring any dowry. From the day she conceived, she said her mother-in-law tried different means to get the child aborted so that her son could marry a richer woman.
Memmi said, “My mother-in-law forced a doctor from our neighbourhood to give some medicine to get me aborted.
I was given syrup but I did not take since I suspected her. Later she mixed many herbs in my food and drink. I avoided food served by her. I gave birth to a son.
During my second pregnancy too my husband beat me severely. He brought a second wife. I was not given anything to eat for a week and finally they forced me to go back to my home.”
With her two children in class XII and X, Memmi could not afford to educate them anymore. She filed a case for maintenance from her husband.
Around thirty survivors of violence against women shared their varied experiences at the training hall of CSD today. Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary of Women Action for Development, said, “These women have lived through extraordinary atrocities and rights violation.
The sharing today is possible after they repeatedly requested to arrange a face-to-face interaction with media to personally convey their hardships.”
The forms of violence against women shared by these women are wide ranging. There were cases of physical violence, mental harassment and intolerable humiliations. In some cases sexual exploitation, including incest were reported.
The Sangai Express & The Imphal Free Press
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