MHRC team gives ears to plight of elderly inmates
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05 2024:
Raising their grievances to a team of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), elderly inmates of Langol Old Age Home have rued that politicians only remember them during election time.
The inmates raised their complaints when the MHRC team conducted an inspection of the Old Age Home and Children Home at Kabo Leikai today.
Reportedly, the Children Home is run by Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti.
The team consisted of MHRC member KK Singh along with Inspector General of Police Mamata Wahengbam, IPS and Law Officer W Basantakumar accompanied by officers of its Investigation Division Inspector Lokendra Khai-dem and Sub-Inspector Loitongbam Petersony Singh.
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During their visit, the team took stock of the amenities provided at the Old Age Home and Children Home including food, accommodation and healthcare.
At Langol Old Age Home, the team interacted with the aged inmates who were mostly between the age of 60 and 80 years.
The inmates lamented that politicians only remember them during election time.
Candidates who contest elections send their agents to pick them up only for their votes.
But nobody remembers them once the election is over, they remarked.
On further enquiry, they said that none of the elderly inmates receive old age pension even though they have already applied for the scheme a long time ago.
They also urged the MHRC team to request the District Administration to provide them with rice under the National Food Security Act.
Meanwhile, the Chief Functionary of the Old Age Home alleged that one Devan from Kiyamgei Khoirom Leikai took Rs 2.5 lakh from him to build a house-cum-office for the Old Age Home.
He claimed that Devan initially started construction, but it was never completed.
Further stressing on the poor quality of construction, he added that he even had to use social media platforms to appeal to concerned citizens to take action against Devan.
On another note, he asserted that Langol Old Age Home is the only senior citizens' living facility which does not receive any grant from the Government but is managed through donations from generous like-minded people.
At the Children Home in Kabo Leikai (Dewlahland), the MHRC team interacted with the officials.
They also inspected the charred building of the Children Home which was gutted in a fire that broke out on May 4, 2023 in the wake of the ethnic conflict.
Officials of the Home shared that the fire had damaged most of the property and office documents.
Later, the MHRC team interacted with the children.