Preleased

Condemns attack on the 3 members of a family of Hmar community from Manipur at Delhi - Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD)

New Delhi, April 14, 2011

Office of the
MANIPUR STUDENTS'ASSOCIATION DELHI
Estd. 1971

Manipur Students' Association Delhi (MSAD) strongly condemns the racial attacked on the three members of a family of Hmar community from Manipur residing in Munirka, New Delhi by the locals on 12th April 2011.

MSAD understood it as a part of deep ingrained racism persists in the mainstream Indian society towards the people of North East.

Executive members of MSAD had interacted with the victims in the hospital, one of them is critically injured.

Such inhumane act has been a daily experience for the North Easterners in the capital city, and there is indifference from the country’s law enforcing agencies.

Many of the racial oriented and sexual harassment cases are twisted by the police as ploy to defend the culprits, and deny several cases to register F.I.R as well.

MASD addresses to all the student and civil organizations from North East and other democratic bodies elsewhere believe in progressive movements to join hand in fighting against racial discrimination.

Sd/-
R.K. Sanayaima
General Secretary, MSAD

One More Attack on Two North East Boys in Delhi

North East Support Centre & Helpline

For Immediate Release

One More Attack on Two North East Boys in Murnika, South Delhi

Brother and Sister Beaten By landlord and Neighbours Earlier still Critical at AIMS Trauma Centre

For more information, please contact

Madhu Chandra - Spokesperson 9716004939

New Delhi, April 13, 2011 (3:15 PM)

Two more boys from North East India were severely beaten yesterday in Murnika, South Delhi. A brother and sister who were attacked in a different incident last night are admitted at AIMS Trauma Centre.

In what could be another display of Delhi's collective racism towards the Northeast people, a 21-year-old DU student, Thang and his friend, Mang, 24 years, were beaten last night by locals in Munirka, Delhi. Mang suffered a minor head injury, while Thang's shirt was torn into pieces and he had scratch marks on his face and chest.

According to sources reaching to North East Support Centre says that Mang and Thang were buying groceries for dinner at a Northeast shop when they heard shouts and scuffling.

"Some people were gathering outside. We stepped out and watched for a while when one guy approached us and suddenly hit Thang," said Mang. "Another person picked up a brick and threw it at us which I somehow managed to shield myself with my hands from its potential blow. I ran for cover, but the next thing I knew Thang got surrounded and attacked by a bunch of people. He managed to escape from their grasp after sometime."

Both Mang and Thang are roommates. They are from Lamka, Manipur. Police have registered an FIR. The torn shirt is with the police.

In another attacked James (name changed) 30 years old brother and her sister Helen (name changed) 25 years old were beaten severely by group of people at Babulal Chowk, Murnika, South Delhi at around 11 PM last night. James suffered severe head enjuries and Helen on face, mouth and they are admitted at AIMS Trauma Centre.

"Murnika is marked with countless numbers of racial attack on North East people living in the rented homes. The local police has totally failed to stop the violence and crimes against people from North East India," says Madhu Chandra - Spokesperson of North East Support Centre & Helpline.

North East Support Centre & Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) is combined initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to women, North East People and tribal communities of different states.

Released by

Angam Haokip

Media In-charge

National Commission for Scheduled Castes Orders UP Government to Assist Burn Victim

All India Christian Council

Dwarka, New Delhi 110075

For Immediate Press Release

National Commission for Scheduled Castes Orders UP Government to Assist Burn Victim

Civil Society Delegation Met Commission Chairman

Justice Denied for Three Years to Young Dalit Girl

Photos of victims available at http://nehelpline.net/?p=522

New Delhi, April 12, 2011

A civil society delegation along with a victim and her father met the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) yesterday to submit a memorandum in the case of a six-year-old Dalit girl who was thrown into a fire by an upper caste man in April 2008. The NCSC immediately ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to appeal in the High Court against a lower session court judgment which acquitted the accused without a fair trial. The NCSC also ordered police protection for the victim, medical treatment, and education.

Kamlesh with NCSC Chairman.jpg

Kamlesh, the Dalit girl who is now nine years old, was going to use a toilet in an open field along with her eight-month pregnant mother on April 29, 2008 in Trauali Jhanauti Village, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh. When they crossed a road in front of an upper caste Thakur home, the Thakur’s son Sunny (18 years old) beat Kamlesh and threw her into a burning pit. Her mother, Manju, tried to pull her out of the fire; she, too, was beaten by several men and fell unconscious. When she came to her senses, she rescued her daughter who suffered 80% burns.

A fact finding team led by All India Christian Council (aicc) visited and took up the matter with authorities. A case (FIR No. 138/08) was registered under section 307 of Indian Penal Code and SC/ST Atrocity Prevention Act. Mr. Sunny was arrested for six months. Kamlesh’s mother, Manju, who suffered trauma from the attack, was labeled by the court as mentally unfit to testify without any medical proof. The court acquitted the perpetrators without a fair trial.

Together with Dalit Freedom Network USA, the aicc worked with the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations to give a small amount of finances for medical care immediately after the attack and is committed to long-term advocacy and follow-up of this case. A civil society fact finding team revisited Kamlesh in December 2010 and found her health condition was critical, her right elbow crippled with skin pulling apart, and immediate medical attention needed for other burns as well. The team was led by Dr. John Dayal, member of the National Integration Council and aicc secretary general, and included Mr. Madhu Chandra, aicc Public Relations Officer; Vidya Bushan Rawat, social activist; and Anil Chamadia, Senior Journalist.

Yesterday a civil society delegation along with Kamlesh and her father met Dr. P.L. Punia, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The delegation included Dr. John Dayal, Madhu Chandra, Sarita Bhoi, National Convenor, Dalit Justice Initiative of Human Rights Law Network, and Mr. H.S. Mehra, Advocate.

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Released By

Madhu Chandra
PRO – All India Christian Council
Spokesperson – North East Support Centre & Helpline

Guarantee justice to join the national mainstream

Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission
INDIA: Guarantee justice to join the national mainstream
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) congratulates the President of India, Honourable Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, for her visit to the northeastern states of Nagaland and Manipur. The President visited Nagaland yesterday and will spend today and tomorrow in Manipur. During a speech at Dimapur in Nagaland the President urged the northeastern states "to put their best efforts to be part of the Indian growth story by harnessing their potentials, particularly through the Centre's 'Look East Policy'". While becoming part of the larger 'Indian growth story' might be an attractive proposition for some in the region, many could consider the President's call for national participation a crude joke given the state of affairs in the region.

A general understanding of ordinary life in Manipur is good enough reason to argue and substantiate this point. During the past five years there is hardly a single day in Manipur where one of its citizens were not murdered extra-judicially, or abducted for ransom by non-state actors or criminals, or taken into custody by unidentified military, paramilitary or state police officers, or a case of brutal custodial torture is reported. During the same period not a single case was impartially investigated and the suspects brought to trial. The people of Manipur have more than two dozen cases to cite in which the security agencies operating in the state have demonised villages and its innocent inhabitants with rape, assault and torture accusing the villagers of having supported secessionist groups operating in the region. So far not a single incident, of which at least a few would amount to crimes against humanity, have been investigated.
Those who dared to speak against such incidents have been falsely implicated in criminal cases and many have been extra-judicially executed. The government of India has attempted to threaten or intimidate those who dared to speak about these violent incidents before international agencies like the United Nations Human Rights Council, or during the sessions of many of the UN Thematic Mechanisms, with consequences at home upon their return to India from Geneva. The reports of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, formerly the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders submitted to the United Nations substantiate this point.
The July 23 incident of 2009 where two persons, including a seven-months-pregnant mother and a surrendered militiaman were shot dead in full public view in the capital city of the state, Imphal, is yet to be properly investigated. Within hours after the incident, the Chief Minister of the state, Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh, made a false declaration to the state that the two murdered civilians were armed insurgents. The Chief Minister's statement was not based on any evidence or investigation. The Chief Minister or the state administration took no trouble to withdraw the statement despite the murder being nationally condemned as a ruse to continue providing blanket impunity to the state police officers, many of them appointed after the Chief Minister and/or those who claim to be his agents accepting huge amounts of money as bribes Today, the post of a Sub-Inspector of Police in Manipur State Police is publically auctioned for sale with 'bribe tags' ranging between 10-15 million rupees. The state government has not found it as its responsibility even today to offer the minimum, an apology to the families of blaming one of their relatives as a terrorist. The trial in the session's case against nine police officers accused of murder in the July 23 incident is yet to commence since the hearing on the charge is to take place today and tomorrow, unless adjourned further and delayed, which is the notorious feature of the country's justice system.
The security apparatus operating in Manipur, inter alia the state police, all its operational wings, the military and paramilitary units, that muster their operational logic and mandate from the central government's accedence to the state administration's request for additional security cover, which is in theory supposed to provide security to the person and property of the Manipuri's have become today Manipur's and thus India's own nemesis. In addition to the riders against civilian prosecution in the Army Act, 1950 and The Assam Rifles Act, 2006, one central piece of legislation, The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 provides effective statutory impunity against investigation and prosecution for this massive and unruly state machinery. The AFSPA continues to be in operation in the state, despite calls for its repeal from within and outside the state, including those made by government sponsored Inquiry Commissions, of which at least one was headed by the present Vice President of India, Honourable M. Hamid Ansari.
No dreams of development and progress could sustain without a law abiding security apparatus that supports a justice framework, which nurtures the reign of the rule of law. A democratic environment provided by a republic depends for its survival upon some essential fundamentals, including a functioning, publically accountable and law abiding security apparatus. This is completely absent in all its cognitive and practical sense in Manipur. In that Manipur is the worst example along with the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. In other parts of the country the security apparatus faces similar, if not exactly equal concerns about its daily functioning.
On a parallel vein one could also find fault with the Government of India's perception of what it means by the 'Look East Policy'. A country that is constituted on the pillars of democracy and democratic norms has nothing much to emulate from most of the East Asian states, but for two relatively subtle examples of Japan and South Korea. Concerning an immediate neighbour of India, Burma, of which India had gone out of the way during the early years of military dictatorship in that country to promote and nurture the democratic movement in Burma, probably encouraged by India's experience with the experiment that it successfully concluded in former East Pakistan and later Bangladesh, India has backtracked much to the embarrassment of everyone who believes in democracy and those values the concept of democracy implies, by publically supporting the military junta in Burma.
Counteracting the Chinese pressure or the refocusing of targets in the process of seeking better pastures for fossil fuels cannot be a tenable excuse for India's support to the Burmese junta. Neither can be the Lee Kuan Yew induced Singaporean model be of any inspiration to Indian democracy. This realignment of policies, visibly starting from 1993 has resulted in placing India in the limelight to be viewed not as a champion of democracy and freedom, but as an opportunistic state that is forced to make drastic changes in its foreign and domestic policies fearing a Chinese economic invasion. That the Honourable President of India has suggested this policy as an incentive for the people of the northeast is like referring an insane person to a lunatic for treatment.
Should there be any incentive for the people of the northeast to join mainstream India, such request must be based on providing them the basic guarantees that India as a democracy could offer to its people. Of primary importance should be the emphasis in ensuring the fundamental guarantee of life with safety, and security from the excesses committed by the security agencies operating in the region. In that the central government cannot and must not depend exclusively upon the state administrations. Should there be a consensus to be developed to join the so called national main stream, it must be based on a confidence building exercise that is sustainable and anchored on the tenets of justice, rather than a faint prayer for forgetting and forgiving. In that justice is a notion visible and experienced only when there is real justice and redress for grievances.
There can be no conversation when the table is set by threat and intimidation where only monologues exist. There would be no peace in the shadow of arms and violence committed with impunity. Silence fermented out of fear will only promote violence. The Honourable President, her Prime Minister and his Cabinet have much experience in the above propositions than anyone else that held power in New Delhi in the past 20 years.
Honourable President need not look anywhere else to find an opening to initiate the process of peace and confidence building. Ms. Irom Channu Sharmila, also known as the 'iron lady' of Manipur has been observing an indefinite fast for the past 10 years pleading for establishing sustainable peace in Manipur. The state administration, expressing its true character of fermented force has only found it appropriate, to imprison her in a hospital ward, force-feeding her through a nasal tube. The administration has released Sharmila yesterday, upon which she is continuing her indefinite fast in a tent in Imphal accompanied by other human rights defenders.
When Sharmila was detained, she was denied permission to meet anyone. In that Sharmila was under solitary confinement for the past decade without trial, a punishment that even the most hardened and convicted criminals in the country do not face.
If the Honourable President is honest in her intentions when the President addressed the people of the northeast yesterday, let the President's Office prove it by initiating actions to withdraw the AFSPA from Manipur and let it be made clear to the people of Manipur through a public statement. Let there be independent investigations against all past and in every future incidents of human rights violations committed by the security agencies operating in the region.
Let the perception of justice prevail in action and spirit in the region than the dark veil of fear and repression.
Any affirmative action of the above nature will be the true incentive for the people in the region to expect that there is a larger and brighter future that the rest of India can offer by being part of the 'larger Indian dream' It would be also the most fitting birthday gift to Sharmila who will celebrate her 39th birthday on March 14, most probably once again in the solitary room at the government hospital in Imphal after being rearrested once the President departs from the region.
# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Hmar-Government of Mizoram Political Talk

HPC-D Press Release:

Ref. No. HPC (D)/Sinlung/PAC-07 Dated: Sinlung, the 8th March, 2011
To,
The Home Secretary
Government of Mizoram
Subject: Hmar-Government of Mizoram Political Talk
Sir,
After much deliberations on the ongoing peace process, the Hmar People’s Convention
(Democratic) – HPC(D) is convinced of the absence of confidence, trust and commitment despite
signing the document for the Suspension of Operation (SoO). The narrow pre-conditions that has been
repeatedly put forward by the Government of Mizoram has not only reduced the credibility of the
Suspension of Operation (SoO) document, but also the parties that are involved in it.
The HPC(D) strongly believe that both the engaging parties should pro-actively work to build
confidence, trust and goodwill before the Hmar-Government of Mizoram political talk is put on track.
Therefore, in the interest of securing a healthy climate for the political talk, the HPC(D) opines
that the current term of the SoO be fruitfully employed by both sides. Accordingly, it is the stand of the
HPC(D) that the ‘Hmar-Government of Mizoram Political Talk’ be held only after the extension of the
current term of the SoO.
To pursue the matter, the HPC(D) will send its delegates for extending the SoO anytime in
May, 2011. The Government of Mizoram may kindly find a date for the purpose.
Sincerely Yours,
(L.B. HMAR)
Secretary
Department of Political Affairs
Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic)

Attorney General Statement Ominous for Dalit Christians says Christian Council

All India Christian Council

Palam Vihar, Sector 6, Dwarka, New Delhi, Email: aiccdelhi@gmail.com, www.indianchristians.in

For immediate release

Attorney General Statement Ominous for Dalit Christians says Christian Council

Government must tell India ’s Supreme Court it supports Scheduled Caste status for Dalit minority groups

NEW DELHI – February 23, 2011 – The All India Christian Council has termed as “ominous” the statement of Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati and is deeply concerned about an indefinite delay of equal rights for Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Caste origin. The Supreme Court was scheduled tomorrow to hear an oft-delayed case on the issue.

On Monday, the attorney general reportedly advised India’s Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs that the central government need not act “at this stage” on the long-standing demand by Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims for Scheduled Caste status currently enjoyed by only Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhists adherents.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear a key case on 24 February 2011 when it expects the government to give its opinion on a challenge to Paragraph 3 of Article 341 of India’s Constitution (Scheduled Caste Order) 1950. More than dozen individuals and advocates, including Dalit Christians and Muslims, have joined the case. This case has seen numerous hearings and delays ever since early 2004.

The Cabinet Committee, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, includes Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, and Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Minorities Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed was a special invitee at the meeting. According to news reports, the AG feels the issue is very complicated and has several ramifications.

The Centre for Public Interest Litigation, run by former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan and his son Prashant Bhushan, filed Writ Petition (Civil) No. 180 of 2004 in early 2004 on behalf of plaintiff Franklin Caesar. Para 3 of Article 341 has been described by Christians and Muslims as anti-Constitutional and “communalising” the upliftment of the former untouchable groups who still remain the most economically and politically marginalised in India . The Supreme Court has repeatedly delayed a verdict because of the Union government’s inability to make up its mind on the matter despite repeated prodding by the court.

“This speaks of a debilitating indecisiveness which is born of political perfidy and bureaucratic obduracy. In short, India ’s officials need to stand for what is right. All Dalits face similar societal discrimination and deserve similar government benefits,” said John Dayal , Secretary General, All India Christian Council (aicc).

Dayal said, “Sections of the officialdom, belonging to the upper castes, and sections of the same power groups in the ruling and the major opposition party are opposing the assertion of the religious minority groups to regain their constitutional rights. We do not see why these groups feel so threatened. Our brothers and sisters in the Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits know that most government jobs and seats in educational institutions go unfilled, and there is enough for everyone to share without restricting each others’ privileges and rights.”

Dr. Jose ph D’souza, aicc President, said, “To be clear, we advocate the striking of religion in Article 341 as a qualification for Dalits to receive government assistance. This era of prevarication and political indecisiveness must end. Dalit Christians and Muslims must be given their rights now.”

Many experts believe the government has more than enough political support. Following a five decade long agitation, almost every opposition party -- barring of course the BJP -- has extended support to the demand of Dalit Christians. State Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh and other states have passed resolutions to this effect. Chief Ministers including Mr. Nitish Kumar of Bihar , Ms. Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh, and Mr. M.K. Karunanidhi of Tamil Nadu publically have urged the Union Government to restore Dalit Christian’s rights.

The National Commission for Minorities as well as the 2007 report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (headed by retired Justice Misra and often called the “Misra Commission”) gave unequivocal support. The Justice Sachchar Committee acknowledged the disenfranchising of the Dalit Muslim groups. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes headed by former governor Mr. Buta Singh fully supports these demands, although it proposed a separate quota.

When the Constitution was signed, the affirmative action of reservations in jobs, legislatures, schools, and on such issues as rural development was given to all Dalits. Then communally motivated lobbyists forced the government to pass the 1950 order restricting privileges to Hindus alone. The government soon bowed to pressure from Dalit Sikhs and Buddhists and restored their rights. Even for the Christians, the Cabinet under Prime Minister Narsimha Rao passed a resolution and moved a Bill in Parliament to restore rights. The Bill wasn’t taken up for technical reasons, and Parliament was soon dissolved. Since that day, governments have been prevaricating on the issue with scant respect for legal precedent, legislative propriety and humane considerations. Dayal said, “It is a mystery why the government yet demurs.”

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Released by

Madhu Chandra

PRO – aicc 9716004939

KUKI STUDENTS' ORGANISATION DELHI - Press Release

Press Release
New Delhi,
The 13th February, 2011

KSOD/PR/01/2011

A 30-year-old Hangminlen Haokip, a resident of Churchandpur in Manipur passed away on the night of 11th February 2011 at around 11.45pm at LNJP hospital in New Delhi. The funeral service was held on February 12 at the South West Delhi Christian Cemetery in Dwarka, Delhi. Kuki Worship Service Delhi pastor Rev Letlal Haokip conducted the funeral prayer. The funeral service was attended by the Kuki Worship Service Delhi, Kuki Students' Organisation Delhi and Delhi Lompi. Many Kukis in the capital gathered at the cemetery.

Ironically, the father of the deceased is unknown. The name of his village is untreachable. No one claim the deceased b ody. Finally KSOD claimed the body.

The deceased Hangminlen Haokip and his three friends were said to be drug addicts living in Munirka. After facing money problem, they took sheltered under the flyover in Munirka. These four Kuki youths have been seen living under the flyover in November last year. The shocking incident came into limelight when somebody reported to KSO leaders residing in Munirka. Thereafter Mr Lalboi Baite, ex-vice president, KSOD made spot enquiry and found out that the condition of these youths were much beyond imagination. The matter was immediately informed to KSO advisor Pu Khupthang. The four youths were brought to advisor's residence, where they were given medical treatment and other necessary helps.

Kuki Students' Organisation, Kuki Worship Service, Gangte Welfare Association and Vaiphei Welfare Association had a discussion in last November. As per their discussion, KWS leaders admitted the four youths in The Last Resort rehabilitation centre in Delhi.

After one month, two of the four youths got recovery while the health condition of the other two deteriorated each passing day. The first two youths returned back to Churachandpur while Hangminlen Haokip and Sasang Vaiphei were admitted in LNJP hospital. Hangminlen Haokip was declared dead by the doctors on February 11 night while Sasang Vaiphei is said to be in critical condition.

The incident gave us a striking lesson to learn. The youths belong to different tribes. However they chose to die under the same roof. So they began sheltering unitedly with their last hope, as one of the victims told the earlier rescuers. During day, the other two ventured out in the city to find food for their half-dead friends, who were lying unconsciously for several days. Though they were homeless, they vowed to die under one's care rather than dying lonely. The love and unity towards their fellow being is highly appreciated. This set an exemplary life for all of us.

On behalf of the Kuki Students' Organisation Delhi, we hereby, expressed our heartfelt gratitude to all the organisations and individuals who had painstakingly stood beside us throughout the steps.

We are deeply impressed by the cooperation extended by the broadminded leaders/members of Gangte Welfare Association, Vaiphei Welfare Association, The Last Resort, Kuki Worship Service and Kuki Students' Organisation. We also sought everyone to stand united in the days to come.

Sd/-
Lamtinthang Haokip
President,
Kuki students'Organisation Delhi.

Sd/-
T.Douminlian
General Secretary,
Kuki students'Organisation Delhi.