MEMORANDUM
To,
The Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Subject: Epidemic deaths
Respected Sir,
We bring to your attention the deteriorating plights of the villagers of Tipaimukh and Thanlon sub-divisions in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. The sub-divisions are, once again, threatened by the outbreak of an epidemic-like disease that has tolled the lives of more than forty (40) infants recently. The total absence of doctors, nurses and other concerned health authorities is worsening the unabated situation. The devastated villagers called the disease as “strange disease”. In the absence of any pro-active intervention to identify the deadly disease, it 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 continues to strike them. The feared disease pose a serious threat to susceptible populations as it places severe burden on the public health system and socio-economic development of the marginalised 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, mostly infants, in the year 2008.
Despite the severity of the “strange disease”, no scientific research or enquiry was conducted by the responsible authorities to establish the cause and nature of the disease. SIPHRO condemns such callous attitude shown by the authorities who, otherwise, should be responsible for the deaths and 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. Non-stationing of doctors and nurses has worsened the situation as the villagers were left with nothing to resort to. The State authorities did not even deliver basic health services and have been failing its people, which is costing lives. The preventable disease has spreaded because of the collapse of health services. The Government of Manipur should not shy away from the alarming evidences.
SIPHRO calls upon the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to direct 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 40 infants.
2. Doctors and nurses should be permanently stationed in the two vulnerable constituencies.
3. The Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Parbung should be made functional.
4. The Government should permanently run a Pharmacy that would cater to the medical needs of the villagers.
5. All necessary vaccines should be administered to children and infants of all age groups.
6. The Government should also administer active surveillance and case management and support to community awareness programmes.
7. Action Taken Report (ATR) is immediately made to the concern petitioner in the interest of the public.
List* of infants who died of the “Strange Disease”:
Parvachawm Village:
1. Isak Lalthlamuon S/o Edward
DoB: 21: 09-2008
Expired date: 03-01-2009
2. Lalnghakmawi D/o Lalchunghnung
DoB: 02: 01-08
Expired date: 01-01-09
3. Edith Lalhuonmawi D/o Hrangchallien
DoB: 25-05-07
Expired date: 20-01-09
4. Jenny Laldawmsang D/o Sangneikhum
DoB: 24-01-09
Expired date: 28-04-09
Leisen Village:
5. Chawngsanglur S/o Lallukhum
DoB: 28-04-08
Expired date: 12-02-09
6. Hmingthramawi D/o Challienkhum
DoB: 31-03-08
Expired date: 17-03-09
Senvon Village:
7. Jehovah Lalhmathruoi S/o Buongchunhnung
DoB: 23-12-08
Expired date: 23-01-09
8. Remruotthiem S/o Lalditsang
DoB: 06-05-08
Expired date: 15-02-09
9. Elizabeth D/o Pensionthang
DoB: 13-01-09
Expired date: 17-02-09
10. Elis Lalrothiem D/o Kawlhming
DoB: 13-01-09
Expired date: 17-02-09
11. Donisia S/o HK Hlimpawlthang
12. Esther Ramtranmawi D/o Lalmawilien
DoB: 14-02-09
Expired date : 27-04-09
13. Omega Lalhmudik S/o Lalthutlung
DoB: 29-03-08
Expired date: 24-04-09
Tinsuong Village:
14. Seithanglur S/o Lienzuol
DoB: 25-04-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
15. Lallienzuol S/o Lalthanglien
DoB : 27-12-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
16. Krawsthang S/o Richard
DoB: 12-06-08
Expired date: 19-02-09
17. Lalhmingsang
DoB 16-12-08
Expired date: 27-02-09
18. Fimronghak S/o Lalhmathruoi
DoB: 02-03-09
Expired date: 24-04-09
Damdiei Village:
19. Persie Remsangpui D/o Lalropui
DoB: 20-02-09
Expired date: 21-04-09
Parbung Village:
20. Hmingropui S/o Laldawmsang
DoB: 10-12-08
Expired date: 15-02-09
21. Jacob Malsawmtluong S/o Huonrosiem
DoB: 08-06-08
Expired date: 24-02-09
22. Lalnunnem D/o CR John
DoB: 03-08-08
Expired date: 02-04-09
23. Phirsanglien S/o Suoka
Expired date: 24-05-09
24. Lalthanghlut S/o Lawia
Expired date : 25-05-09
Lungthulien Village:
25. Caleb Ramdinsuok S/o Lalremkung
DoB: 08-09-08
Expired date: 01-03-09
26. Angela Lalvulmawi D/o Vanlalsung
DoB: 25-05-08
Expired date: 02-02 09
27. Immanuel Lalringum S/o Duoilo
DoB: 15-12-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
28. Gospel Rochunghnung S/o Thangneikung
DoB: 11-03-08
Expired date: 23-03-09
29. Esther Lalsiemthar D/o Ngurhmingthang
30. Joseph Laldinlien S/o Vanlalruot
DoB: 16-08-08
Expired date: 06-02-09
Sipuikawn Village:
31. Kenedy Lalthruoisuok S/o Sakhawlien
DoB: 23-01-09
Expired date: 07-03-09
Tipaimukh Village:
32. Joycy Fimthangmawi D/o Lalrothang
DoB: 28-02-08
Expired date: 27-03-09
Rovakot Village:
33. Lalrempui D/o Lalremruot
Expired date: 29-04-09
* List of dead infants recorded and collected by Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO). Due to absence of resources, SIPHRO could not go to all the remote villages to collect the names of the infants who died of the “strange disease.” There are many victims whose name did not figure in this list. The figure, however, have crossed 40 till date.
Dated: June 02, 2009
To,
The Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Subject: Epidemic deaths
Respected Sir,
We bring to your attention the deteriorating plights of the villagers of Tipaimukh and Thanlon sub-divisions in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. The sub-divisions are, once again, threatened by the outbreak of an epidemic-like disease that has tolled the lives of more than forty (40) infants recently. The total absence of doctors, nurses and other concerned health authorities is worsening the unabated situation. The devastated villagers called the disease as “strange disease”. In the absence of any pro-active intervention to identify the deadly disease, it 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 continues to strike them. The feared disease pose a serious threat to susceptible populations as it places severe burden on the public health system and socio-economic development of the marginalised 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, mostly infants, in the year 2008.
Despite the severity of the “strange disease”, no scientific research or enquiry was conducted by the responsible authorities to establish the cause and nature of the disease. SIPHRO condemns such callous attitude shown by the authorities who, otherwise, should be responsible for the deaths and 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. Non-stationing of doctors and nurses has worsened the situation as the villagers were left with nothing to resort to. The State authorities did not even deliver basic health services and have been failing its people, which is costing lives. The preventable disease has spreaded because of the collapse of health services. The Government of Manipur should not shy away from the alarming evidences.
SIPHRO calls upon the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to direct 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 40 infants.
2. Doctors and nurses should be permanently stationed in the two vulnerable constituencies.
3. The Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Parbung should be made functional.
4. The Government should permanently run a Pharmacy that would cater to the medical needs of the villagers.
5. All necessary vaccines should be administered to children and infants of all age groups.
6. The Government should also administer active surveillance and case management and support to community awareness programmes.
7. Action Taken Report (ATR) is immediately made to the concern petitioner in the interest of the public.
List* of infants who died of the “Strange Disease”:
Parvachawm Village:
1. Isak Lalthlamuon S/o Edward
DoB: 21: 09-2008
Expired date: 03-01-2009
2. Lalnghakmawi D/o Lalchunghnung
DoB: 02: 01-08
Expired date: 01-01-09
3. Edith Lalhuonmawi D/o Hrangchallien
DoB: 25-05-07
Expired date: 20-01-09
4. Jenny Laldawmsang D/o Sangneikhum
DoB: 24-01-09
Expired date: 28-04-09
Leisen Village:
5. Chawngsanglur S/o Lallukhum
DoB: 28-04-08
Expired date: 12-02-09
6. Hmingthramawi D/o Challienkhum
DoB: 31-03-08
Expired date: 17-03-09
Senvon Village:
7. Jehovah Lalhmathruoi S/o Buongchunhnung
DoB: 23-12-08
Expired date: 23-01-09
8. Remruotthiem S/o Lalditsang
DoB: 06-05-08
Expired date: 15-02-09
9. Elizabeth D/o Pensionthang
DoB: 13-01-09
Expired date: 17-02-09
10. Elis Lalrothiem D/o Kawlhming
DoB: 13-01-09
Expired date: 17-02-09
11. Donisia S/o HK Hlimpawlthang
12. Esther Ramtranmawi D/o Lalmawilien
DoB: 14-02-09
Expired date : 27-04-09
13. Omega Lalhmudik S/o Lalthutlung
DoB: 29-03-08
Expired date: 24-04-09
Tinsuong Village:
14. Seithanglur S/o Lienzuol
DoB: 25-04-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
15. Lallienzuol S/o Lalthanglien
DoB : 27-12-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
16. Krawsthang S/o Richard
DoB: 12-06-08
Expired date: 19-02-09
17. Lalhmingsang
DoB 16-12-08
Expired date: 27-02-09
18. Fimronghak S/o Lalhmathruoi
DoB: 02-03-09
Expired date: 24-04-09
Damdiei Village:
19. Persie Remsangpui D/o Lalropui
DoB: 20-02-09
Expired date: 21-04-09
Parbung Village:
20. Hmingropui S/o Laldawmsang
DoB: 10-12-08
Expired date: 15-02-09
21. Jacob Malsawmtluong S/o Huonrosiem
DoB: 08-06-08
Expired date: 24-02-09
22. Lalnunnem D/o CR John
DoB: 03-08-08
Expired date: 02-04-09
23. Phirsanglien S/o Suoka
Expired date: 24-05-09
24. Lalthanghlut S/o Lawia
Expired date : 25-05-09
Lungthulien Village:
25. Caleb Ramdinsuok S/o Lalremkung
DoB: 08-09-08
Expired date: 01-03-09
26. Angela Lalvulmawi D/o Vanlalsung
DoB: 25-05-08
Expired date: 02-02 09
27. Immanuel Lalringum S/o Duoilo
DoB: 15-12-08
Expired date: 01-02-09
28. Gospel Rochunghnung S/o Thangneikung
DoB: 11-03-08
Expired date: 23-03-09
29. Esther Lalsiemthar D/o Ngurhmingthang
30. Joseph Laldinlien S/o Vanlalruot
DoB: 16-08-08
Expired date: 06-02-09
Sipuikawn Village:
31. Kenedy Lalthruoisuok S/o Sakhawlien
DoB: 23-01-09
Expired date: 07-03-09
Tipaimukh Village:
32. Joycy Fimthangmawi D/o Lalrothang
DoB: 28-02-08
Expired date: 27-03-09
Rovakot Village:
33. Lalrempui D/o Lalremruot
Expired date: 29-04-09
* List of dead infants recorded and collected by Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO). Due to absence of resources, SIPHRO could not go to all the remote villages to collect the names of the infants who died of the “strange disease.” There are many victims whose name did not figure in this list. The figure, however, have crossed 40 till date.
Dated: June 02, 2009