tried to inject certain intoxicating drugs into a young woman

Three unidentified persons allegedly tried to inject certain intoxicating drugs into a young woman at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leika at about 5.30 pm today.
Mayanglangbam (O) Gitabala (29) w/o Khelendro said that her husband has affairs with a woman from Moirangkhom.
It appeared that the unidentified men tried to drugged me at the behest of the woman.
The three youths came in a Honda Activa, Gitabala said.
“They first gagged me and brought out a syringe, started pointing at me. As I struggled with all my strength, the needle broke”.
“Just as I shouted for help, they fled away”, Gitabala said.

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=16104

Opium seized

Obama, AIDS & Manipur

KanglaonlineSpecial

K-Special >> AIDS/HIV >>Obama, AIDS & Manipur

Obama, AIDS & Manipur

By: S. Neken

After Apartheid, AIDS is Another Alert in African and American nations. AIDS epidemic was born in America two and a half decades ago. Many believe in the African origin theory of HIV/AIDS. So African-American tie-up in the history of HIV/AIDS in the world cannot be ruled out. Out of 40.00 million people of the planet presently living with HIV, 1.2 are Americans. There are around 12 million AIDS orphans in Africa. Globally, 8,000 deaths and 6,000 new infections occur every single day. No doubt, AIDS is set to become the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years.

Landmark election of an African American as the Head of the Richest Country in the world marks the total end of racism in the world. Barack Hussein Obama nicknamed "Barry" will be sworn in as President of the United States on 20th January next year. It is indeed legendary that a coloured man born to a Kenyan father will lead America to higher esteem where Apartheid & Discrimination against which the father of the nation M.K Gandhi and later Nelson Mandela fought for many years have no room in the world. After a profound success in the war against racism, now comes the turn of AIDS which remains a big global challenge to the new president Obama. Not only America, Obama™s headache will be the AIDS burden in African nations in particular and the world in general.

In his address on World AIDS Day two years ago, the former Senator said œwe are all sick because of AIDS - and we are all tested by this crisis. When you go to Africa, you will see this problem up close, you realize that it's not a question of either treatment or prevention or even what kind of prevention “ it is all of the above. It is not an issue of either science or values “ it is both. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease. But there must also be a change in hearts and minds, in cultures and attitudes. Neither philanthropist nor scientist, neither government nor church, can solve this problem on their own - AIDS must be an all-hands-on-deck effort.

In one of evangelical discourse on sex and sexuality in California, the Illinois Senator if condoms and potentially things like Microbicides can prevent millions of deaths, then they should be made more widely available. That's my belief.

Global leadership towards ending AIDS

As president of US, Obama will continue to be a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He pledges to develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care, and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Fighting health disparities and improving quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS will be his major areas of concern, besides expanding funding for vaccine and microbicides research. To him, Microbicides is a tool to empower women in the battle against AIDS and the dispute over condoms is a "false argument."

In addition to assuring access to treatment, Obama believes in comprehensive age-appropriate sex education for preventing new infections. To drive funding for HIV/AIDS programs, Obama supports adding an additional $1 billion a year in new money over the next five years to strengthen and expand the program to Southeast Asia, India, and Eastern Europe, where the pandemic is expanding. Barack Obama is committed to increasing U.S. investments in the capacity building needed to ensure that poor countries are able to develop the health care infrastructure necessary to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, promote basic health care and also increasing U.S. contributions to the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria, and TB. Barack Obama believes that people in developing countries living with HIV/AIDS should have access to safe, affordable generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. As president, Barack Obama will double U.S. foreign assistance from $25 billion per year to $50 billion per year to ensure the U.S. does its share to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Obama will dedicate as much funding to HIV/AIDS as possible “ without cutting into other critical foreign assistance programs “ to ensure a comprehensive fight against this global pandemic.

Vision for an AIDS free Manipur

Second line ART drugs will be available in Manipur by 1st December this year. It is a good news to people living with HIV, fighting for their lives. With the opening of first ART centre in Manipur in 2004, there are at present six ART centres. Out of estimated 30000 PLHAs, 5000 are receiving ART drugs from these centre.

IDU prevalence of HIV has drastically been reduced due to success of RIAC programme in the state. Coverage of sex workers, MSM and spouses of IDUs under intervention programmes have remarkably increased during the last few years. Testing and counseling services have improved both in quality and quantity. All facets of HIV prevention, intervention and care have undergone changes to a positive direction. However, trend of epidemic never altered.

Halt and reverse the HIV epidemic by 2012 is the vision of the third phase of National AIDS Control Programme in India. The guiding principles are quite good – one agreed national action framework, one agreed monitoring and evaluation system and one agreed national coordinating authority. Decentralisation at the grassroots level, community involvement, social ownership and an enabling environment are the keywords in implementing HIV/AIDS control programme in this five year span of HIV/AIDS prevention effort. Except for the state of Manipur, the phase-III of NACP already started by 2006.

The slow pace of programme implementation coupled with lack of quality leadership has maligned the aesthetic side of the national programme in Manipur. Although Manipur ranks the highest HIV concentrated states of India in terms of its positivity per thousand population, the state could not start the NACP III due to internal crises among the programme pilots. Thanks to fighters for pilot-ship without pondering anything about passengers on board who are suffering and the next generation due to be extinct only because of AIDS.

In spite of relentless efforts by social organizations, NGOs and government, the pace of the epidemic never decelerates. It continues to kill, it still infects, women and children being soft targets. Out of around 30,000 HIV positives in Manipur, one-third is women. The story of HIV in Manipur dates back in 1990, when the first report of infection came from among the Injecting Drug Users. Now, the epidemic has turned 20 years in the state. Sentinel surveillance reports for the year 2007 need to be analyzed to trace the trend of the epidemic in the state. Out of every 1000 women pregnant, 13 are HIV positive. It means that for every 50,000 pregnancies in the state in a year, 650 are in HIV infected mothers. Manipur will be proud to have around 200 HIV infected newborns every year. If the trend continues, let us visualize how many of our young population will survive after 50 years from now. In the course of the 50 years, there will be only elder persons and small babes in most households in Manipur.

Manipur & its unique charms:

As the state’s rich fauna, flora and excellence in arts and sports always attract the world, Manipur’s topography, social and cultural environment always charm HIV to haunt it’s youths. The state shares 357 km border with Myanmar. People in neighbouring villages of both the countries use to frequent each other. By the way, drugs and sexual activities from across international border help expansion of HIV epidemic in remote villages of Manipur. Its proximity with Golden Triangle and its being a transit drug route facilitate rampant spread of the virus. No doubt, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Chandel districts share long borders with other states.

Besides, there are not less than 30 different groups of people following varied cultures, traditions and customs. Lack of transport and communication between one village to another, and also language and cultural barrier among different groups pose a challenge to fighting HIV/AIDS. Bad topographic features play a hurdle in providing health facilities across the state. Unchecked youth behaviour, glamorous media, cultural invasion and lack of social ownership and responsibility are factors contributing to HIV spread among young people in the state.

All types of HIV are available in Manipur. It comes through sex “ from across international boundaries and from across Indian states. It has come through sharing of drug equipments – from across international borders and from within India too. Both sex and drugs have played critical roles in expanding HIV burden in the state. It is further escalated by mother to child HIV transmission due to lack of care and support.

Challenges ahead

HIV has different implications to different people. An innocent young widow who got the gift from her husband always wished if she had insisted on a voluntary HIV test before marriage. Laments from HIV positive drug users always blame ignorance. If he/she had had the knowledge about HIV/AIDS, life would not be as dramatic as it is today. Sex workers often blame their fates for they only indulged in risky activities only to earn and feed their children. Truck drivers, security-men and migrants who stayed away from home for months thought if they insisted on correct condom uses. One or the other always blame ignorance and unavailability of services. All are the things of the past. Now, there is no lack of information, there are no dearth of services. We have everything here or there “ only thing is our commitment, our responsibility and our love for the mankind.

There are challenges ahead of us – HIV intervention yet to reach remote villages in the border. The burden of young widows due to AIDS and drugs has to be served with economic and social rehabilitation. Orphans need to be major focus area in HIV/AIDS control programme as the new era of widows and orphans is near to us. Academic community and research scholars should be utilized to find out social remedies to fighting unsafe youth behaviours and the negative impact of cultural invasion in Manipur.

http://classic.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1379&Idoc_Session=dfee28837b1d22f13ed768180c1850a3

Psychotropic drugs seized from youth

TNN | May 30, 2012, 04.24AM IST

LUDHIANA: A huge cache of psychotropic drugs were seized from 20-year-old Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Alipur Wazir Sahib village, on Monday. Police recovered Rs 1.20 lakh tablets of Microlite, 2,000 capsules of Parvon Spas, 80 bottles of Recodex syrup from the accused. 

Kotwali SHO Surinder Mohan said, "The accused was coming from railway station towards Clock Tower, when we stopped him. He was carrying a bag containing these drugs. A drug inspector was also called to the spot for inspection."

During interrogation, the accused said he used to commute from Patiala to Ludhiana for purchasing psychotropic drugs.

He added that he used to sell these drugs in different villages of Patiala. Police are yet to ascertain the place from where the accused purchased these drugs.

A case under the NDPS Act was registered against the accused and at present he is in police remand.

In another case, cops seized 60 grams of charas from Kuldeep Thapa, a resident of Kundanpuri, on Monday. A case was registered.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/Psychotropic-drugs-seized-from-youth/articleshow/13652928.cms

Drug abuse and its medical implications, - How long N.E states in particular Manipur will face it?

Kolkata Watch - XVI : Drug abuse and its medical implications, - How long N.E states in particular Manipur will face it? By: Satya Gopal Dey Prior to 1980, drug abuse was not widely known to different to N.E states, in particular Manipur. M.Amarjeet Singh in one of his article published in Manipur online (October 19, 2003) mentioned, "Manipur, which has an international border of about 350 kilometres with Myanmar, became the victim of international drug smuggling as the notorious traffickers found the route through this point of international border as a soft route. With national roads leading directly to nations of the "Golden Triangle" of Southeast Asia, drug trade and abuse is widespread especially in India's north-eastern state of Manipur. This is further complicated by the rise in HIV/AIDS among young drug users. The major forms of addiction in the beginning were mild tranquilizers and methaqualone, followed by inject-able morphine and pethidine. In due course of time, heroin locally known as Number 4, became the most widely used drug among the young drug users, and heroin addiction reached the explosive stage in 1984 (AIDS ALERT, 2001). Besides it, drugs like spasoproxybone, ganja, alcohol, phensedyle, opium, cough syrup, nitrazepam, detroproxythene and buprenorphine have also being abused. Generally, the young drug users started taking drug, orally either by smoking or inhaling and in due course of time switched over to injection in which they shared unhygienic injecting equipments like needles and syringes. Easy availability of heroin and other illicit drugs are solely responsible for high addiction rate in the state. In addition, pharmaceutical drugs are also easily available to the youngsters. In the same web article Mr. Amarjeet Singh also mentioned available data, though contradictory, indicate an estimated 40,000 drug addicts in the state, of which 20,000 have been reported to be Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). However, one report by UN-AIDS put the number of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) to around 40,000 (Frontline, August, 2.2002). Study conducted jointly by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) Government of India and United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) in 2000-01 found that out of the 308 drug users interviewed in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, the proportion of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) were 92 per cent; of which 10 per cent abusers were females; all of them were literate, of which 24 per cent were college educated drug users; 61 per cent were unemployed; 71 per cent were heroin users and 23 per cent have tested HIV (MSJ&E and UNDCP: 2002)." There are several socio economic context and vested interest for helping the situation rise in to the worst extent. If no one is concerned in truest sense the state will witness different negative implications in the lives of many youth in particular. Some of the implications are as follows. Individuals who suffer from addiction often have one or more accompanying medical issues, including lung and cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and mental disorders. Imaging scans, chest x-rays, and blood tests show the damaging effects of drug abuse throughout the body. For example, tests show that tobacco smoke causes cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, blood, lungs, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix. In addition, some drugs of abuse, such as inhalants, are toxic to nerve cells and may damage or destroy them either in the brain or the peripheral nervous system. Drug abuse and mental disorders often co-exist. In some cases, mental diseases may precede addiction; in other cases, drug abuse may trigger or exacerbate mental disorders, particularly in individuals with specific vulnerabilities. Beyond the harmful consequences for the addicted individual, drug abuse can cause serious health problems for others. It is likely that some drug-exposed children will need educational support in the classroom to help them overcome what may be subtle deficits in developmental areas such as behaviour, attention, and cognition. Ongoing work is investigating whether the effects of prenatal exposure on brain and behaviour extend into adolescence to cause developmental problems during that time period. Second-hand tobacco smoke, also referred to as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a significant source of exposure to a large number of substances known to be hazardous to human health, particularly to children. According to the Surgeon General's 2006 Report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, involuntary smoking increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer in never-smokers by 25-30 percent and 20-30 percent, respectively. Injection of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine accounts for more than a third of new AIDS cases.Injection drug use is also a major factor in the spread of hepatitis C, a serious, potentially fatal liver disease and a rapidly growing public health problem. Injection drug use is not the only way that drug abuse contributes to the spread of infectious diseases. All drugs of abuse cause some form of intoxication, which interferes with judgment and increases the likelihood of risky sexual behaviours. This, in turn, contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Following details will give some more highlights of negative effect of different drugs. Nicotine is an addictive stimulant found in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. Tobacco smoke increases a user's risk of cancer, emphysema, bronchial disorders, and cardiovascular disease. The mortality rate associated with tobacco addiction is staggering. Tobacco use killed approximately 100 million people during the 20th century and, if current smoking trends continue, the cumulative death toll for this century has been projected to reach 1 billion. Alcohol consumption can damage the brain and most body organs. Areas of the brain that are especially vulnerable to alcohol-related damage are the cerebral cortex (largely responsible for our higher brain functions, including problem solving and decision-making), the hippocampus (important for memory and learning), and the cerebellum (important for movement coordination). Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit substance. This drug impairs short-term memory and learning, the ability to focus attention, and coordination. It also increases heart rate, can harm the lungs, and can cause psychosis in those at risk. Inhalants are volatile substances found in many household products, such as oven cleaners, gasoline, spray paints, and other aerosols, that induce mind-altering effects. Inhalants are extremely toxic and can damage the heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Even a healthy person can suffer heart failure and death within minutes of a single session of prolonged sniffing of an inhalant. Cocaine is a short-acting stimulant, which can lead abusers to "binge" (to take the drug many times in a single session). Cocaine abuse can lead to severe medical consequences related to the heart, and the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. Amphetamines, including methamphetamine, are powerful stimulants that can produce feelings of euphoria and alertness. Methamphetamine's effects are particularly long lasting and harmful to the brain. Amphetamines can cause high body temperature and can lead to serious heart problems and seizures. Ecstasy (MDMA) produces both stimulant and mind-altering effects. It can increase body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and heart wall stress. Ecstasy may also be toxic to nerve cells. LSD is one of the most potent hallucinogenic, or perception-altering, drugs. Its effects are unpredictable, and abusers may see vivid colours and images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real but do not exist. Abusers also may have traumatic experiences and emotions that can last for many hours. Some short-term effects can include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sweating; loss of appetite; sleeplessness; dry mouth; and tremors Heroin is a powerful opiate drug that produces euphoria and feelings of relaxation. It slows respiration and can increase risk of serious infectious diseases, especially when taken intravenously. Other opioid drugs include morphine, Oxy Contin, Vicodin, and Percodan, which have legitimate medical uses; however, their nonmedical use or abuse can result in the same harmful consequences as abusing heroin. Prescription medications are increasingly being abused or used for nonmedical purposes. This practice cannot only be addictive, but in some cases also lethal. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants. Among the most disturbing aspects of this emerging trend is its prevalence among teenagers and young adults, and the common misperception that because these medications are prescribed by physicians, they are safe even when used illicitly. Steroids, which can also be prescribed for certain medical conditions, are abused to increase muscle mass and to improve athletic performance or physical appearance. Serious consequences of abuse can include severe acne, heart disease, liver problems, stroke, infectious diseases, depression, and suicide. Drug combinations. A particularly dangerous and not uncommon practice is the combining of two or more drugs. The practice ranges from the co-administration of legal drugs, like alcohol and nicotine, to the dangerous random mixing of prescription drugs, to the deadly combination of heroin or cocaine with fentanyl (an opioid pain medication). Whatever the context, it is critical to realize that because of drug-drug interactions, such practices often pose significantly higher risks than the already harmful individual drugs. In the concluding statements I would like to mention t that the contents that is reflected in this article is definitely not the newer one to the people of Manipur, but through this instalment of Kolkata Watch I once again wanted to say "No to drug" in the particular context of Manipur. http://classic.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1365&Idoc_Session=1b22ddd2873ef8925aed15a52b69a133

Casual drug users not criminals

The Times of India

Swati DeshpandeSwati Deshpande, TNN | May 30, 2012, 01.09AM IST

MUMBAI: A father waited anxiously at a psychoanalyst's suburban clinic a few months ago as his son's test reports were sent in. When the results were finally revealed, tears welled up in his eyes. His teenage son had tested positive for consuming a party drug. The father felt concern but also fear: did this make his child a criminal; would he have to face the stringent laws meant to tackle drug trafficking.

The psychoanalyst comforted the father and assured him that the son was not a criminal. The recent police raid on a Juhu hotel has highlighted the same concerns, with many questioning if a casual drug user should be tarred with the same brush as a hardened trafficker. Psychoanalyst Anjali Chhabria said there is a generational shift in the way most soft drugs, like cannabis, and some other illegal substances are viewed in metros.

"There is a rise in casual drug use, but addicts and occasional drug users cannot be treated as criminals," Chhabria said. Many doctors and lawyers emphasized the need to ease the morality attached with the issue of casual drug use. Legal experts said that Indian drug laws are modelled on international conventions, but they deviate on the point of making consumption an offence.

"Rather than imposing criminal punishment, it must be seen for what it is—a health issue," said Dr Harish Shetty. India's narcotic laws give a person caught with a small quantity of drugs (for personal consumption) one opportunity at rehabilitation. But is that one chance enough, asked a senior advocate. Lawyers said that worldwide there are examples of people who experiment with drugs in their younger days but do not turn into addicts. "Should the law then not differentiate between a consumer and a trafficker and decriminalise casual drug use?" said a lawyer. Said senior advocate Amit Desai: "The wrath of the law must fall on the trafficker. Even a small peddler who forms the last link in the drug chain has to be dealt with strictly. But a person who uses drugs for personal consumption may be treated differently to rehabilitate and reform him."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Casual-drug-users-not-criminals/articleshow/13649955.cms

Drug overdose claims one

Written by Imphal Free Press | May 28, 2012 |

IMPHAL, May 28: A 26 year old today died on his way to the Hatta public Hospital this evening due to a drug overdose.

The youth identified as Machutmi Tangkhul, 26 son of Zamia of Yaingangpokpi was pillion riding on a Honda Activa when he fell down in front of the Hundred Flowers Higher Secondary School along the Imphal-Saikul road this evening around 3:30pm.

According to a police source, he was coming from Imphal after taking drugs along with his two friends at a house in North AOC.

The house owner had asked them to leave the house after Machutmi started foaming from his mouth after taking the drugs, when he fell from the two-wheeler, the source said.

The concerned Heingang Police has registered a case in this regard and the dead body has been handed over to family members after conducting post mortem at JNIMS, the source said.

Suing hubby for HIV transmission -Lesson to be learnt from it-

Hueiyenlanpao/Editorial/item/1860

Imphal May 28: The news report of a young woman slapping a suit against her husband under Sections 269, 270, 319, 323 and 34 IPC for alleged transmission of HIV deceitfully was indeed sad. As per the report, the man already knew his HIV status before forcing the young woman to enter into wedlock with him in 2010 and it was by chance that the young woman came to know about the harsh reality of her husband. According to the account given by the young woman, before their marriage on January 25, 2010, the man stalked her everywhere she goes, even to her school and pester her with calls. To put an end to all his unwelcome advances, she went to meet him one day. But she was drugged and forced to elope with him much against her wishes. All these while and even after tying the nuptial knot, the man did not reveal anything about his HIV status and the poor woman had no idea, although the conduct of her husband was suspicious from his regular intake of some medicines and refusal to meet a number of his 'women-friends' coming to look for him. It was quite by chance that the poor woman came to know about the HIV status of her husband. She came across some reports of clinical laboratory for CD4 count and HIV testing. When confronted, the husband denied all accusations and burnt the documents. The poor woman managed to flee from the house and later she was also tested positive of HIV. This was indeed outrageous.

It may be the first time in Manipur that a woman has dragged her husband to court for deceiving her and transmitting HIV knowingly, however, the problem surely is not a new thing in the state, which is notorious for its high prevalent rate of HIV in the country. Since the first case of HIV was detected in Manipur in 1990 from the blood samples of some Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), there has been a steep rise in the number of HIV cases, so much so that transmission route is no more confined to drug abuse. With HIV transmission through sexual route and its spread among general population becoming alarming, we are quite sure that not just many innocent young women but also many more innocent young men have become victims of HIV unwittingly. Being the first case of its kind in Manipur, it is understandable that filing of a criminal suit against her HIV positive husband by a young woman victim may create some sort of consternation among certain sections of the people, more particularly among the NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS. But what is important here is the breach of trust in the marriage, which is regarded as union of two souls. In any relationships (marriage no exception), trust is essential. It is the glue that holds together the two souls and without it there is no meaning in the relationship. Breach of trust was one cardinal sin that the accused husband committed by concealing his HIV status and transmitting the virus to his innocent wife knowingly. The present case should also be taken as a reminder to all on the need for making HIV test a must before marriage.

http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/editorial/item/1860-suing-hubby-for-hiv-transmission-lesson-to-be-learnt-from-it

India Myanmar to check drug inflow

NEW DELHI, May 24 (VISION COMMUNICATIONS): India and Myanmar have taken joint initiative to check the drug money inflow to various anti-Indian insurgent outfits that are “spending their funds for buying weapons to intensify their terror campaign against India”.
This issue will get priority during the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s meeting with the President of Myanmar Thein Sein in the newly built capital on May 28. The Prime Minister Dr Singh is scheduled to leave for Myanmar on a two-day visit on May 27.
This issue was discussed threadbare besides security related issues like the presence of anti-Indian militant outfits along the 1,643 km long, mostly unfenced, Indo-Myanmar international border, exchange of intelligence inputs and sharing of interrogation reports of arms smugglers caught in Myanmar, during the Union Home Secretary R K Singh’s visit to Myanmar in January, this year.
The Myanmarese Deputy Home Minister Brig. Gen. Kyaw Zan Myint assured the Indian delegation of all necessary help to keep the border free from militants, drug and arms smugglers.
Even the MHA Joint Secretary (North East) Shambhu Singh had discussed security related issues and the entry of illegal drug from Myanmar to India with his counterpart on May 8 at the 57 Mountain Division Headquarter at Leimakhong in Manipur.
The Myanmarese delegation, however, complained that different Indian armed groups often kidnap Indian businessmen and others for ransom, sometimes even resort to killing.
These criminals often cross the border and take shelter in Myanmar side. Both sides agreed for a Coordinated Border Management which is likely to be further discussed in the forthcoming Prime Minister level meeting in Myanmar .
The Myanmar delegation also informed the Indian delegation that a tablet called pseudophedrine mainly prescribed for nasal congestion or sinus, is supplied in huge quantities into Myanmar and then this particular drug is “fortified and smuggle back to India for extra sum.”
India had already presented authentic documents identifying at least two Manipur based underground outfits, People’s Liberation Army and the United National Liberation Front who are reportedly engaged in poppy cultivation in Myanmar under the full protection of the NSCN Khaplang group.
Many other groups are also involved in carrying drugs into the North East region to earn easy money to purchase arms for their movement.
According to Myanmarese authorities, the long porous international border with Myanmar and the friendly population with similar feature on both sides of the border are some of the major factors responsible for largescale smuggling of illegal drugs into the North East region.
Four states of the North East region, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland shares long international border with Myanmar.
To prevent movement of illegal drugs the Government of India has already decided to provide drug detection equipments and other accessories besides imparting extensive training to Myanmar’s law enforcement units on anti-narcotics campaign in a bid to prevent smuggling of drugs from Myanmar into the North East region.
Training is already imparted to the first batch of the narcotics officials of the Myanmar Government. More assistance in this regard is likely to be announced during the Prime Minister’s two-day visit to Myanmar.
As part of its sustained campaign, Army, Border Security Force and other paramilitary forces deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border, besides state police and Narcotic Bureau have launched massive operations to effectively check the activities of drug and arms mafia in the North East region.
Accordingly, the Imphal West Narcotics Cell personnel recovered 950 bottles of codeine syrup Lupicof which is often misused as addictive from the North AOC parking of Imphal – Dimapur passenger service on May 10.
The consignment was brought from Dimapur by one Mohammed Nashir Ali resident of Keirao Manjor Hingol Leikai of Imphal. Lupicof syrup, whose actual price is Rs 69.50, fetches about Rs 150 to Rs 200 in the black market. Recovery was also made of 205 packets consisting of 28,500 capsules of banned spasmo proxyvon from a Maruti van coming to Imphal from Silchar.
Manipur is not the only state of the region where illegal business in drugs is causing headache to law makers. Recently, the Railway Police Force in Dimapur, Nagaland confiscated a huge cache of 38,300 capsules of medicine Spasmo Proxyvon, many cough syrup bottles, and over 2000 tablets of Nitrosun. Both Spasmo Proxyvon and Nitrosun are often misused as they can cause addiction if taken in undesired quantities. The whole consignment was being taken by two miscreants from Assam to Thoubal district in Manipur via Nagaland. On 23rd May the Railway Police nabbed a youth from the Guwahati Railway station with huge quantities of explosives procued from Mizoram-Myanmar border.
The entry of illegal drugs and weapons from across the border into the North East India is a reality. It remains to be seen how the heads of two neighbours take steps to reduce the concerns.

http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/india-myanmar-to-check-drug-inflow/

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held Speaker bats with House Forum

21-May-2012 / 02:27 AM

IMPHAL, May 20 : The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day was observed today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound and Manipur Dramatic union hall, Yaiskul Police Lane under the aegis of different organisations.
 

As chief guest of the Lamyanba Shanglen observance, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh assured that ‘Manipur Legislative Assembly Forum on AIDS will do whatever it can to fulfil the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.’

Pledging support of the Forum in fighting stigma and discrimination, he also commended the leading role by the people affected with HIV and drug users in ensuring the rights of the affected people as well as reduce the spread of HIV in the State.

Former Deputy Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) and MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, who also addressed the gathering at the observance function drew the attention of the MACS Project Director to ensure expeditious revision of the State AIDS Policy asserting that policies are a must for tackling issues like HIV/AIDS

“The draft State AIDS policy needs to be tabled at the earliest and discussed threadbare so that our response to the epidemic is in tune with the needs of the community,” said the MLA who also stressed on the need for bridging the gap between NGOs implementing HIV related programmes and MACS.

Commenting on the observance, MACS Project Director Dr Sailesh Kumar Chourasia expressed that such solemn event provides all concerned an opportunity to reassess not only the achievement but also to chart out a course to sustain the effort.

Different departments need to come together for effective implementation of relevant programmes and to tackle the issue at hand in a holistic manner, he added.
 

Functionaries of various NGOS also elaborated on the significance of the observance with a fervent appeal to every section of the society to combat HIV/AIDS in a more effective way.
 

Results of the competition held earlier on May 18 were also declared and prizes distributed during the function held at Lamyanba Shanglen today.
 

Towards promoting health and dignity, particularly for people living with HIV and AIDS and other communities, volunteers will campaign for improving service access, prevent rights violation and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, people who inject drugs, sex workers, nupi manbi and other vulnerable communities.
 

The Yaiskul Police Lane observance organised by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) was held on the theme ‘Promoting Health and Dignity together’ and was marked by the observation of two minutes silence in memory of those who passed away due to HIV/AIDS infection and release of fact-sheet on HIV and drug use developed under the CHPCSS and prison projects.
 

Superintendent of Police, Manipur Central Jail (Sajiwa) IK Muivah graced the event as the chief guest.While advocating healthy lifestyle for a respectful living and longevity, Muivah also prevailed upon all concerned to contribute their mite for the health and welfare of the HIV/AIDS infected people.
 

With reference of MACS record of nearly 12,700 people undertaking ART treatment out of about 21,225 individuals living with HIV/AIDS, he said the Central Jail Sajiwa has a total of 670 inmates with HIV positive status.
 

Appreciating endeavours of MACS, MNP+ and volunteers of various NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention for regularly conducting awareness programmes and ways to live a healthy lifestyle to the infected inmates, the SP asserted that he would intimate higher authorities for enhancing assistance to these inmates.
 

It also informed that candles were lit at 16 market places in Imphal East and West districts, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. In coordination with the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) candlelight prayers were also held in a number of churches.
 

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 is being jointly organised by sixteen organisations namely All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), Kuki Women Union (KWU), Kripa Society, Care Foundation, Lifeline Foundation, Dedicated People’s Union (DPU), Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), Coalition Against Drug Abuse and Alcoholism (CADA), Christian Network of Positive Women of Manipur (CNPWM), All Manipur Nupi manbi Association (AMANA), Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHII).
 

Meanwhile, the International Candlelight Memorial Day was observed today at Khurai Lamlong under the aegis of Universal Caring Mission (UNICAM) on the theme “Promoting Health and Dignity Together”. Speaking on the occasion, MACS Joint Director Abhiram Mongjam stated that the number of people killed by HIV/AIDS is greater than the number of people during World Wars I and II.
 

Talking about the stigma and discrimination being endured by HIV infected people, UNICAM vice-president Ksh Robindro asserted that all kinds of social stigma or discrimination should be done away with for better tackling of the HIV/AIDS issue.
 

Later nutritional support was distributed to HIV infected people. The International Candlelight Memorial Day was also observed by Maruploi Foundation at its Bishnupur office today.
 

CARE Foundation observed the 29th International AIDS Candlelight memorial Day at its head office and branch office Nambol today.
 

200 people including members, staff, PLHIVs, IDUs FSWs and invitees attended the observation, said a press release.
 

The day was also observed by MNP+ Thoubal at its hall. The observation was held under the sponsorship of MACS.
 

21-May-2012 / 02:27 AM // Our Staff Reporter / 0 Comments

Rights group and civil society organisations kick start International AIDS Candlelight Memorial campaign 2012.

Imphal, May 18: The yearlong International AIDS Candlelight Memorial observation 2012 kicked off with a painting competition today at Keishampat Keisham Leikai community hall. 36 children studying in class one to nine took part in the competition organised for children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Miranda (name changed) whose two children took part in the competition is hopeful her daughter studying in sixth standard will bag a prize. “She bagged the first prize in a similar competition held last year”, said the proud mother of four. Miranda her husband and her two kids who took part in the competition are on ART at RIMS. While she expects her daughter will bag a prize she is encouraging her son to take part in such competitions to help him make friends and forget his illness. The 14 year old boy is underweight and shy away from class mates and friends.

The competition saw 14 children, deprived of their parents, from Carmel Jyoti Care Centre in Imphal East wielding the brush. The centre is presently looking after 48 children most of them living with HIV and AIDS. Of the 14 children who took part in the competition 11 are on ART.

Speaking at the occasion Shyamacharan, General Secretary, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and a member of the organising committee, said that such joint efforts will ensure people realise the need to come together in the fight against HIV and AIDS. “Each one of us in our own way can contribute in the fight against HIV and AIDS”.

For the first time civil societies organisations, human rights groups, lawyers, drug user and positive networks and NGOs in the state are coming together to observe the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 which falls on May 20 and continue it as a year-long state-level campaign for solidarity in  fighting the epidemic.

“This competition is different; we want them (the participants) to feel important and cared for. Through this campaign we want to convey that each one of us has a responsibility towards people who are in need and help them live with dignity”, said Phoni, Secretary General, AMADA.

One of the organising committee members of the campaign, AMADA had in the past organised blood donation camps to meet the growing demand of blood for people living with

HIV and AIDS. In 2006 and 2007 AMADA collected a record 600 unit of blood meant for PLHIVs undergoing treatment in RIMS and JN hospital. Starting 2006 October AMADA has so far organised 70 awareness programmes for school students all over the state.

Spearheading the campaign the Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), a state-level network of community-based organisations of drug users, is planning a series of activities in keeping with the theme of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 - ‘Promoting health and dignity together’.

The competition will be followed by observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 on May 20 at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal. On the same day a candlelight rally is being organised involving political leaders and representatives of various civil society organisations. Candles will also be lit at 14 market places in Imphal, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. In coordination with the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) candlelight prayers will be held in a number of churches. Results of the competition will be declared and prizes distributed on the same day.

Towards promoting health and dignity, particularly for people living with HIV and AIDS and other communities, volunteers will campaign for improving service access, prevent rights violation and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, people who inject drugs, sex workers, nupi manbi and other vulnerable communities.

The painting competition is a part of the yearlong observation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 jointly organised by sixteen organisations- All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA), Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA), Kuki Women Union (KWU), Kripa Society, Care Foundation, Lifeline Foundation, Dedicated People’s Union (DPU), Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), Coalition Against Drug Abuse and Alcoholism (CADA), Christian Network of Positive Women of Manipur (CNPWM), All Manipur Nupi manbi Association (AMNA), Solidarity and Action Against the HIV Infection in India (SAATHII).

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. Started in 1983, The International AIDS Candlelight memorial takes place every third Sunday in May. The observation serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS.

With more than two decades old the HIV epidemic in Manipur has shown little signs of relenting. While a number of government and non-government agencies are implementing various programmes a number of health services are beyond the reach of thousands of people who need it. Rights of many belonging to various vulnerable communities continue to be violated thus denying people to live with dignity.

38,573 people are living with HIV and AIDS and 698 have died of it in Manipur till March 2011. 19,455 people were registered for ART till May 2011. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2012 is an opportunity to join hands and walk towards ensuring health care to those who need it and people are not discriminated owing to an illness or other factors which are beyond one’s control.