Academic approach adopted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 18 2011:
A joint educational research team from the Centre for Human Rights Duties Education and the Human Rights Department of Manipur University today visited the Imphal Central Jail, where the arrested agitating street vendors are being lodged, to take stock of their present condition.
Around 25 women street vendors have been arrested and lodged in the Central Jail following their protest over the State Cabinet's decision to evict them from Khwairamband Bazar area and shifting them to Lamphel Super Market complex.
On the other hand, starting from May 14, a joint educational research team led jointly by co-ordinator of Centre for Human Rights Education, Manipur University Dr M Sureshkumar and Surendra Meinam, secretary general of Human Rights Department, a research wing of the University, has been undertaking a study on the possible violation of human rights of the street vendors in the light of the State Cabinet's decision.
With the stated objective of bringing about an educated solution to the issue of street vendors, the joint research team has already collected reports from the street vendors at Lamphel Sanakeithel as well as the fruit sellers in and around Khwairamband Bazar area apart from recording the statements of women vendors in the three newly construction market buildings of Khwairamband.
As part of the study being undertaken under the sponsorship of UGC, the joint research team visited the Central Jail today to take stock of the condition of the women street vendors who have been remanded in judicial custody following a court order.
Talking to mediapersons while coming out from the visit, Dr Sureshkumar informed that the team have not come across any sign of violation of human rights of the women street vendors being lodged in the jail.
The arrested women street vendors were found being taken care of properly including medical check up of their health.
Surendra Meinam, who was also present at the occasion, however, pointed out that the existing infrastructures in the Central Jail are outdated and drew the attention of the Government and other related authorities on the need for upgradation.
Informing that the campaign for bringing about educational solution to problem of human rights issue being undertaken by the University could continue in future as well, he also appealed to the people and the Govt for support.