IMPHAL, December 10: As in other parts of the world, the Huan Rughts Day, 2012 was also observed at several places in the state today.
The Human Rights Initiative, Manipur also observed the day at Wangkhei Thangapat Mapal today.
Ex MLA of Singjamei, Loitongbam Sarat Singh, chairman of HRI Dr RK Ranjan Singh and Member Secretary of Manipur State Commission for Women S Meghachandra Sharma attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking as a resource person, Member of Juvenile Justice Board, Imphal East, Kh Dinesh said that Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee had recently visited the Sajiwa Central jail.
He claimed around 80 of the inmates looked to be underage.
Speaking at the function, Loitongbam Sarat Singh also said atrocities against females have increased rapidly in recent times.
He also added that the concern department need to taki some initiative to take action against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Life Watch also observed the day under the theme “Universal declaration of human rights” along with its 2nd foundation day at the Manipur Press Club, today.
Advocate, Guwahati High Court and Human Rights Activist, Khaidem Mani Singh who attended as the chief guest said that Human Rights can be categorised under four kinds- civil rights, procedural rights, political rights, and socio economic and cultural rights- under the declaration on Human Rights, 1948.
Unlawful apprehension and killing by state agencies and public authority is human rights violation, he asserted.
The steps for protection of human rights should include staging protest to create public awareness, exposing the act, approaching the court of law, and lastly to approach human rights commission, he added.
He further said not a single MLA discusses the public issues.
It requires a good governance to eradicate corruption, insurgency, and to provide water, electricity, commodities etc, he added.
Dwelling further on the issue, he said there is a lack of good governance and corruption and human rights violation have to be fought from the common platform of Northeast region against the mainland India.
On the other hand, Sarmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) also observed the International human rights day with its four year completion of mass hunger strike supporting the 12 year long hunger strike of Irom Chanu Sarmila today at Lamyanba Sanglen, Konung Mamang.
Speaking as chief guest at the occasion, president of United Committee Manipur, Y Nabachandra said in various places of the world, laws that affect human rights have been removed .
He asked “Due to globalisation the big world is transforming into small village. At this point of time people are shouting slogans to safeguard human rights. What is the difference between Sarmila and Anna Hazare? Is there any significance in observing human rights day today?”
Presided over by co-convenor of SAKAL Soibam Ongbi Momon Leima, the occasion was attended by secretary general of North Eastern Students Organisation (NESO) Sinam Prakash and Ex Director of HKA Bubloo Loitongbam as guests of honour.