PRESS RELEASE | May 05, 2009: Tipaimukh and Thanlon sub-divisions in Manipur’s Churachandpur district is, once again, threatened by the outbreak of a disease that has tolled the lives of more than thirty five(35) children, mostly infants.
The strange disease, called by the villagers as “Tulai natna” (Today’s disease) or “strange disease” has severely made the villagers helpless as there are no doctors to identify the deadly disease that is still multiplying its victims. Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) is concern over the unabated plights of the ravaged villagers who are left to fend for themselves as the strange disease continue to strike them. The feared disease pose a serious threat to susceptible populations as it place severe burden on the public health system and socio-economic development of the marginalized constituencies that are also undergoing food-crisis caused by the gregarious bamboo flowering. The same disease, which was called “Mautam Hri” (Bamboo flower disease), took more than fifty (50) lives in the year 2008.
The disease causes inflammation on the head. Other symptoms include high fever, headaches, vomiting, loose motion, and sometimes seizures. Some of the victims suffer irreversible neurological consequences.
Despite the severity of the “strange disease”, no scientific research was conducted by the responsible authorities to establish the cause and nature of the disease. The TB Officer of Churachandpur district visited two villages and made a report, which only undermine the reality faced by the people. The TB Officer merely posed questions and he did not even get to see the sick children. SIPHRO condemns such callous attitude shown by authorities who otherwise should be responsible for the ongoing outbreak.
The ongoing outbreak continues to put the villagers of the vulnerable constituencies at immense risk. In the face of that, SIPHRO strongly condemns the insensitive and irresponsible attitude of the medical authorities of Churachandpur district as well as the Government of Manipur. The sub-human lives of the distressed people has been further deteriorated by the absence of response from the concerned authorities who, otherwise, ought to intervene to address the already blown-out situation. Non -stationing of doctors and nurses has worsened the situation as the villagers were left with nothing to resort to. The State authorities are no longer offering basic health services and have been failing its people. The preventable disease has spreaded because of the collapse of health services.
SIPHRO calls upon the Government of Manipur to immediately intervene to address and redress the epidemic-like situation that is sweeping human lives in the forgotten constituencies. SIPHRO also demands that:
Sd/-
(LALREMRUOT PULAMTE)
Secretary, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO
Sd/-
(LALCHUNGHNUNG HMAR)
Chairman, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO
------------------------------------------
ABOUT SIPHRO
Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) is established with the priorities of putting human rights first in the face of immense human rights violations.
SIPHRO stands for the respect and promotion of human rights and prosecution of human rights violations. SIPHRO represents the diverse and diasporic Sinlung originated Hmar and its kindred tribes in India.
Philosophy:
In putting human rights first, SIPHRO based its beliefs in “Truth, Justice and Peace” for the diasporic Sinlung indigenous tribes, who are settled in different parts of the North East region of India and other parts of the country.
It believes in advocating the rights of Sinlung indigenous peoples through democratic means and principles in its true essence.
Aims and Objectives:
1. To work for the protection and promotion of human rights among the Sinlung indigenous peoples, guided by the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nation and the Fundamental Rights define by the Constitution of India.
2. To conduct and research cases of human rights violations and submit its report and complaints to national and international human rights institutions.
3. To advocate and campaign the rights of individual as well as societies.
4. To secure and protect the land, environment, economy, social, culture and political rights of the Sinlung indigenous peoples.
5. To educate peoples at the grassroots level of their and human rights.
6. To coordinate and monitor the implementation of the International human rights instruments adopted by the United Nations and ratified by the Government of India
7. To coordinate with other local and indigenous human rights organisation as well as with national and international human rights organizations and activities.
Source: Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO)
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The strange disease, called by the villagers as “Tulai natna” (Today’s disease) or “strange disease” has severely made the villagers helpless as there are no doctors to identify the deadly disease that is still multiplying its victims. Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) is concern over the unabated plights of the ravaged villagers who are left to fend for themselves as the strange disease continue to strike them. The feared disease pose a serious threat to susceptible populations as it place severe burden on the public health system and socio-economic development of the marginalized constituencies that are also undergoing food-crisis caused by the gregarious bamboo flowering. The same disease, which was called “Mautam Hri” (Bamboo flower disease), took more than fifty (50) lives in the year 2008.
The disease causes inflammation on the head. Other symptoms include high fever, headaches, vomiting, loose motion, and sometimes seizures. Some of the victims suffer irreversible neurological consequences.
Despite the severity of the “strange disease”, no scientific research was conducted by the responsible authorities to establish the cause and nature of the disease. The TB Officer of Churachandpur district visited two villages and made a report, which only undermine the reality faced by the people. The TB Officer merely posed questions and he did not even get to see the sick children. SIPHRO condemns such callous attitude shown by authorities who otherwise should be responsible for the ongoing outbreak.
The ongoing outbreak continues to put the villagers of the vulnerable constituencies at immense risk. In the face of that, SIPHRO strongly condemns the insensitive and irresponsible attitude of the medical authorities of Churachandpur district as well as the Government of Manipur. The sub-human lives of the distressed people has been further deteriorated by the absence of response from the concerned authorities who, otherwise, ought to intervene to address the already blown-out situation. Non -stationing of doctors and nurses has worsened the situation as the villagers were left with nothing to resort to. The State authorities are no longer offering basic health services and have been failing its people. The preventable disease has spreaded because of the collapse of health services.
SIPHRO calls upon the Government of Manipur to immediately intervene to address and redress the epidemic-like situation that is sweeping human lives in the forgotten constituencies. SIPHRO also demands that:
1. The Government should immediately activate intervention strategies to deal with the “strange disease” that has tolled the lives of more than 35 infants.
2. Doctors and nurses should be permanently stationed in the two vulnerable constituencies.
3. The Primary Health Centre in Parbung should be made functional.
4. The Government should permanently run a pharmacy that would cater to the medical need of the villagers.
5. All necessary vaccines should be administered to children and infants of all age group.
6. The Government should also administer active surveillance and case management and support to community awareness programmes.
Sd/-
(LALREMRUOT PULAMTE)
Secretary, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO
Sd/-
(LALCHUNGHNUNG HMAR)
Chairman, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO
------------------------------------------
ABOUT SIPHRO
Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) is established with the priorities of putting human rights first in the face of immense human rights violations.
SIPHRO stands for the respect and promotion of human rights and prosecution of human rights violations. SIPHRO represents the diverse and diasporic Sinlung originated Hmar and its kindred tribes in India.
Philosophy:
In putting human rights first, SIPHRO based its beliefs in “Truth, Justice and Peace” for the diasporic Sinlung indigenous tribes, who are settled in different parts of the North East region of India and other parts of the country.
It believes in advocating the rights of Sinlung indigenous peoples through democratic means and principles in its true essence.
Aims and Objectives:
1. To work for the protection and promotion of human rights among the Sinlung indigenous peoples, guided by the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nation and the Fundamental Rights define by the Constitution of India.
2. To conduct and research cases of human rights violations and submit its report and complaints to national and international human rights institutions.
3. To advocate and campaign the rights of individual as well as societies.
4. To secure and protect the land, environment, economy, social, culture and political rights of the Sinlung indigenous peoples.
5. To educate peoples at the grassroots level of their and human rights.
6. To coordinate and monitor the implementation of the International human rights instruments adopted by the United Nations and ratified by the Government of India
7. To coordinate with other local and indigenous human rights organisation as well as with national and international human rights organizations and activities.
Source: Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO)
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