Survival moves

                                                           Photograph@Arijit Sen -All Rights Reserved

After Jorhat we travelled to Imphal, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The state has 42, 116 people who are HIV+. Manipur is quite close to Burma. The porous border with Burma and proximity to the infamous Golden Triangle drug route ensures drugs are easily available in Manipur. Add to that a life stifled under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Many intravenous drug users in Manipur struggle to survive in this state. Leading the battle for survival is the Manipur Network of Positive People. Formed in 1997, currently it has 2000 members who are countering fear, ignorance, social stigma and helping build a community based organisation. It is not an easy job to say the least. We had visited MNP+ in 2007. When we were there in December 2012, it was our second visit after five years.

Back to Imphal

Photograph@Arijit Sen/Tomba/CNN-IBN shoot--All Rights Reserved

We got back to Imphal. Met people from the valley. Most of them disgusted with this economic blockade ( which was on then) and also with New Delhi. Here we are talking to Rajkumar Ranendrajit.

Manipur: June 18

Photograph@Arijit Sen--All Rights Reserved

Back from Calcutta to Assam and then headed straight to Imphal. Reached on June 18 in Manipur--a day observed as Martyr's Day. When we reached Imphal, it was still battling the effects of the 68-day blockade by Naga outfits. And at the time of the economic blockade the gathering of people in Imphal for June 18, was a reminder how clash of communities and identities can go out of hand, destroy lives and divide people, like it did in 2001. On June 18, 2001, 18 people died in the clash between central forces and a mob protesting the extension of ceasefire with the NSCN-IM to Naga areas in Manipur.

Photograph@Arijit Sen/CNN-IBN shoot/Tomba--All Rights Reserved

"The day is being observed when Manipur is again in turmoil on account of the fear of losing the territorial boundaries of Manipur to NSCN-IM in their hope of greater Nagalim to the utter neglect of the people of Manipur," Professor Sadanand, of the Senior Citizens Forum told us.

Photograph@Arijit Sen--All Rights Reserved

Manipur II

Manipur

On July 23rd, 27 year-old Chungkham Sanjit and 23 year old Rabina Devi, seven months pregnant was allegedly shot dead by the Manipur Police Commandos. After two months, the two deaths are still caught in the cycle of enquiries and protests. Manipur, today, presents a picture of extremes. The state has over 30 militant outfits and is under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, that was imposed in the state in 1980. Caught between the army, paramilitary, police commandos and the underground outfits are the people of the state. No development, almost no water, no electricity, schools closed in protest and yet no one seems to care about Manipur.

Manipur II

More Manipur in older posts

The Iron Lady

The Iron Lady of India, Irom Sharmila Chanu. On fast for the last 7 years. Protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur.