Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 26 2010:
A one-day State level consultation meeting on HIV/AIDS and launching of Tribal Action Plan was organised by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) at Classic Hotel here today.
The function was graced by Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii as chief guest, Chairman of Hill Areas Committee Thangminlien Kipgen as president and other MLAs from hill areas as guests of honour.
The meeting started with the keynote address by Project Director of MACS Pradeep Kumar Jha who gave special focus on multi-sectoral response and also made an appeal to all the attending MLAs for collective effort in combating the epidemic effectively.
In his address, Thangminlien pointed out that stigma and discrimination pertaining to HIV/AIDS is very among the tribal communities and it would require extensive and intensive advocacy and awareness programmes in order to bring about comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the tribal communities.
He also appreciated NACO for the special additional programme for the tribal communities who are highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
Launching the Tribal Action Plan, chief guest of the meeting, Minister Thaisii assured that the Tribal Welfare Department and other related departments would extend fullest co-operation towards MACS for effective implementation of this crucial programme.
State Leprosy Officer and former Project Director of MACS Dr Kh Pramod Kumar was the facilitator of the meeting and he gave in-depth analysis about HIV/AIDS epidemic with special focus on the vulnerability of tribal communities.
ZSUM urges: Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has urged the Government of Manipur to look into the problem of shortage of petrol and diesel being faced by the railway line construction company along NH 53 .
In a statement, ZSUM chairman Philip Kamei pointed out that construction work on the railway line between Jiribam and Tupul is at a snail pace though it had started many years back.
Moreover, because of shortage of fuel for the machines which are engaged round the clock, has also delayed the process of the construction work.
Informing that the lone M/s D Gaidimgam Service Station at Noney has been supplying fuel to the railway line construction company, the student body also urged the Govt to allocate regular fuel.
Payment of compensation to the affected villagers is also yet to be completed, it further pointed out.