Protest rally staged against murder of HIV+ kid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 20 2010: In protest against the brutal murder of Sanjembam German alias Noinoisana and demanding punishment of the murderers as well as framing of a State policy to protect the rights of children living with HIV/AIDS, a mass public rally was taken out here today.

Organised under the aegis of Drug and AIDS Workers, Manipur, the protest rally was flagged off from Hao ground, Singjamei and concluded at MDU Hall where a public meeting was held.

A resident of Uripok Tourangbam Leikai, Sanjenbam German alias Noinoisana was an 18-year old orphan boy living with HIV.

He was found brutally murdered in the morning of April 7 at Malom Terakhong.

German was studying in class X in St Savio School, Lamphel.

He lost both his parents around ten years back.

Protest rally against the murder of an HIV+ kid

Hundreds of people working in the field of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse prevention participated in the protest march carrying placards inscribed with slogans like 'What was the fault of German ?', 'Book the culprits', 'Protect rights of children living with HIV/AIDS', 'Enact and enforce law to protect orphan children', 'Frame a State policy to protect the rights of the children', etc.

At the end of the protest march, a public meeting was held at MDU Hall with president of Kripa Foundation Dinesh, vice president of Hericoun Churamani, member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Ng Nongyai and secretary of Women Action for Development Subita Mangsatabam as presidium members.

At the start of the meeting, the gathering observed silence for two minutes as mark of respect to the departed soul of German.

Various recommendations have also been adopted at the meeting.

These include identification and punishment of the murderers of German by the Government within April 30, to approach the Government for taking up necessary measures to protect the rights of the children living with HIV/AIDS and formation of joint body in this regard.

The meeting also resolved that the recommendations would be submitted to the CM on April 22 .

In case the Government fails to implement these recommendations, the meeting decided to launch various intense agitation.

Earlier, delivering the key note address of the meeting, president of CARE Foundation Sukumar pointed out that there has been no programme and policy in Manipur to ensure the rights of the children living with HIV/AIDS.

He said the incident of murdering German who was living with HIV/AIDS was condemnable and at the same time very suspicious.

So the Government of Manipur should pay special attention and in order to ensure such incidents are not repeated a policy should be framed to protect children living with HIV/AIDS. Among those who spoke at the meeting, secretary (human resource of AMADA) Bobo said that all those who are involved in the murder of a hapless boy like German should not be left scot-free and collective efforts should be made persistently to ensure punishment of the murderers.

Beikul, a representative of CADA, categorically stated that all those who are active at the time of lobbying fund for HIV related activities but stay away from fighting for justice should not be working in the field of HIV any more.

Each one of us should be responsible for the murder of German, he added.

Subita Mangsatabam stressed on the need for reviewing the existing AIDS policy of the State and pointed out that there is no provisions for women and children in the existing policy.

The issue of women and children can no more be diverted from the issue of HIV/AIDS, she said. Ng Nongyai mooted for setting up a State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Manipur.