Quarterly Progress Report

1. Organization 2. Project Title 3. Name of the District and Country where project is implemented 4. Project duration: Start (day/month/year) Completion (day/month/year) according to the application 5. Reporting period

Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) & Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) Capacity building in testimonial therapy in India, Pilot phase III Varanasi district, India 1/7/2009 31/12/2009

This reporting period

1/7/2009 – 30/9/2009

Next reporting period Summary of status describe especially problem encountered during project implementation, including proposal for changes and reason for changes in time schedule, outputs and budget No problem Assessment of overall progress The overall progress of the project is according to the planned and activities frame out in project proposal. Detailed report of the program is attached as annexure I & II (b) Plan of action for next three months reporting

Name of the program

Place

Realistic time schedule

Capacity building workshop on writing skill (English) New testimonies

Varanasi

27 - 31October, 09

Follow up of survivors Meta Legal, legal

1st October – 31st December November

processing and medical support to the survivor Two honor Varanasi ceremonies Publication of Manual Imphal, Manipur in local Manipurian language Follow up of Manipur Imphal, Manipur workshop survivor

November November

Person responsible for the arrangement for carrying out activities S. no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Name of Program Capacity building workshop on writing skill (English) New testimonies Follow up of survivors Meta Legal and legal processing Two honor ceremonies Publication of Manual in local manipurian language Follow up of Manipur workshop survivor

Responsible Person PVCHR PVCHR PVCHR PVCHR PVCHR Wide Angle Wide Angle

12. Assessment of overall progress (other significant progress): The other significant progress detailed is attached as annexure III Annexure I (Capacity Building) Workshop on Testimonial Therapy in Manipur Training of Trainer workshop was organized from 10th August, 09 to 21 August, 09 at Hotel Anand Continental, Imphal, Manipur. The training started in the indefinite curfew imposed by the state Government for the last few days in Manipur, on the news published by the tehelka initiative on the sequence of photos; captured by a local photographer of the death of a young man, killed in a false encounter by the police in broad daylight, 500 meters from the state assembly. st

Due to the curfew only eight participants were present in the first day of the workshop; the remaining three participants joined the workshop on second day as few hours’ relaxation was given in the curfew at the morning. Please see the given below URL http://www.tehelka.com/story_main42.asp? filename=Ne080809murder_in.asp. PVCHR sent letter to National Human Rights Commission (NHRI) and Mr. Rahul Gandhi, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of Congress. • •

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-letter-inmatter-of-manipur_02.html http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/08/petition-in-murder-in-plainsight-at.html

Participants were from NEEDS, Human Rights Alert, Collective Peoples’ Movement, Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, Wide Angle, SECURE Sustainable Development Center and one participant presently working in the State Social Welfare Department (Family Counseling Center Imphal East Police Station). The Manual and the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) questionnaire were refined by Mr. Montu and Mr. Pradip in the context of the Manipur and it was translated in local Manipurian language to distribute in the workshop package (reading materials) to the participants. The participants understood the English language, but translator in local language was provided for the sound understanding of the participants. Brief Information about state On 21 September 1949 the king of Manipur was called to sign the Merger Agreement. Majority people of Manipur every year protest against this so-called merger agreement. The revolutionary parties of Manipur like UNLF, RPF are engaged now in armed national liberation struggle to liberate Manipur from Indian colonial occupation. They want to reestablish Manipur as an Independent country. Armed forces (Assam and Manipur) Special power ordinance, 1958 was promulgated by the president on 22nd May, 1958. The Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) special powers (Amendment) Act, 1972 (7 of 1972). The section 3 of the Ordinance powers the Governor of Assam and Chief Commissioner of Manipur to declare the whole or any part of

Assam or the Union Territory of Manipur, as the case may be, to be a disturbed area. The Special Powers Act gives members of the armed forces broad authority to search, arrest, and shoot-to-kill - and protects them from prosecution. The culture of violence perpetuated by this law has become so deeply rooted that the police now routinely commit the same kinds of abuses long practiced by the army and state paramilitary forces. Assessment of Situation: The situation in Manipur is highly complex. In a population of just about 25 lakhs there are deep divisions along tribal and ethnic line resulting in over 40 different under ground groups fighting each other and states. In addition there are thousands of military and paramilitary troops who have extra ordinary power on the civilian. In Manipur 30 indigenous groups resides like - Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and other small ethnic groups

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/7434/manipur.htm http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/17/india-end-manipur-killings Schedule of Workshop The workshop was divided into two sessions 1). Week one: Theoretical & Role Play 2). Week two: Practical

Week one: Theoretical & Role Play 10th August to 14th August, 09 Monday 10th August

Morning 10 -12 am

WORKSHOP ON TESTIMONIAL THERAPY

Theory

(1) Psychological trauma

Depression, PTSD, psychosocial

(2) Testimony as a psychological healing process

History Existential, political exposure

12 -1 pm

Meditation instruction Lunch

Afternoon 1 – 4 pm

Tuesday 11th August

Morning 10 – 12 am

(1) Meditation (2) Communication and active listening (role-plays) (3) Psychosocial community work (1)Assessment of mental health problems: the questionnaire & M&E of interventions

Phases in community work Assessment Interviews with victims Using questionnaire

Lunch 12 – 1 pm Afternoon 1- 4 pm

Wednesday 12th August

Morning 10 – 12 am

(1) Meditation (2) Communication and active listening: using the questionnaire (role plays) Procedures for taking a testimony Lunch

12– 1 pm Afternoon

(1) Meditation (2) Testimony

Steps in the manual

Thursday 13th August

Friday 14th August

1 – 4 pm

exercises (role plays)

Morning 10 – 12 am

Experiences and problems from role plays yesterdays

12 – 1 pm

Lunch

Afternoon 1 – 4 pm

(1) Meditation (2) Testimony exercises continued (role plays) Taking care of the care takers and further issues from the preceding days

Morning 10 – 12 am 12 – 1 pm

Lunch

Afternoon 1 – 4 pm

(1) Meditation (2) Peer group exercises with Supervisor

Notes

(3) Summing up

Week two: Practical 17th August, 09 to 21st August, 09 Monday

WORKSHOP ON TESTIMONIAL THERAPY Morning Afternoo n

(1) Mindfulness meditation (2) Preparation meeting: Division of participants in pairs (one is interviewer and the other note-taker). Each pair will provide two sessions of testimony therapy to a survivor in the afternoon.

Evening

Two sessions of testimonies taken with first group of survivors

17th August

Interviewers and note-takers correct and write the testimonies

Tuesday

Morning

(1) Mindfulness meditation (2) Supervision and process analysis meeting: Each pair reports experiences and problems from the day before: what went well and what were the problems encountered

Afternoo n

Two sessions of testimonies taken with second group of survivors

Evening

Interviewers and note-takers correct and write the testimonies

18th August

Wednesday

Morning

19th August Afternoo n

Thursday

Two sessions of testimonies taken with third group of survivors

Evening

Interviewers and note-takers correct and write the testimonies

Morning

(1) Mindfulness meditation (2) Supervision and process analysis meeting: Each pair reports experiences and problems from the day before: what went well and what were the problems encountered

20th August Afternoo n

Friday

(1) Mindfulness meditation (2) Supervision and process analysis meeting: Each pair reports experiences and problems from the day before: what went well and what were the problems encountered

Two sessions of testimonies taken with fourth group of survivors

Evening

Interviewers and note-takers correct and write the testimonies

Morning

(1) Mindfulness meditation (2) Supervision and process analysis meeting: Each pair reports experiences and problems from the day before: what went well and what were the problems encountered

21st August Afternoo n

Plans made for a delivery ceremony: where will it take place and how will it be done (privately, in a public space, in a community meeting?)

Summing up, feed-back and closure

Week one: Theoretical & Role Play DAY 1 The training started with the formal introduction of the participants and in the introductory session Dr. Lenin presented the brief introduction about RCT and its working approach and implementation of testimonial therapy in India. In the theoretical part same power point was used by the trainer, which was used by Ms. Inger Agger in the Varanasi and Ranchi workshop. Introduction of testimony, history of testimonial method, Traumatic stress, Traumatic stress symptoms, Type of stressor, and psychosocial community work. The Participants were very attentive and stated that the process is being very innovative and informative, as Ms. Irom Sharmila “Iron Lady of Manipur” is writing her self suffering story through poem after her nine years old continuous hunger strike for the removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. The mothers of Manipur protested their pain striping naked infront of the Military Head Quarter (Kangla) holding the banner “Rape us Indian Army”.

Dr. Lenin presenting testimonial therapy

The afternoon session started with mindfulness meditation facilitated by Mr. Pradip and followed with the communication exercise: active listening

Mr. Pradeep facilitating the meditation session After meditation the participants learn principle of active listening through role play. The participants were divided into the pair of two, one was interviewer and other was note taker. Each pair will use the rules of communication and active listening to describe the trauma (10 minutes each) and take 5 minutes each to tell one another about an experience you have strong emotions about and secondly they will evaluate how the person asking the questions felt and how the person telling the story felt. In other groups of two, let each person talk about 5 minutes to tell something about him/herself. The listener should use the techniques of active listening given below:  - Open questions  - Repetition of small phrases  - Summaries of facts and feelings He also state that participants for Non-verbal behaviour that is:  Look at the person with sufficient but not excessive eye contact  Feel the interest in the other person  Show in the posture of your body that you are interested in the other person Participants will evaluate the trauma stories and identify some of the reactions mentioned.

Participants were asked to image /create some traumatic story or share his/her own trauma and role changed after ten minutes. Participants share their feeling after role play. The problem encountered in the initial exercise of the active listening is given below: o Direct Question by one interviewer in place of open questions o Lack of trust during the few interviews (as Manipur is a arm conflict state the interviewers’ identity and his association/institution needs to be verified by a locally know person from that community )

Mr. Montu and Mr. Pradeep doing role play of active listening The participants did the role play of active listening in better practical mode after the role play of Mr. Montu and Mr. Pradip. They shared their feedbacks; the Main points are as follows: o Right to hear the sentiments and the feelings. o Opportunity to express the pain and Agony : “ Window of expression” o Supportive o Confidentiality o Relief after sharing the trauma. The participants were suggested to consider the following points, as Manipur is the arms conflict area so, people are afraid to express himself/herself: o Trust o Confidentiality

o Feel the interest of the other person o Sympathy with the common people. DAY 2 The training started with the brief recap of the activities of first day and followed with the theoretical part Assessment of mental health problems: the questionnaire (M&E) of interventions. Dr. Lenin presented complete M&E through power point presentation for the thorough understanding of the participants in filling the M&E.

Dr. Lenin explaining M&E Mr. Pradip translated the M&E in the local Manipurian language for the sound understanding of the participants and they actively participating in the activities sketched out in the schedule. The participants have good command in English so; trainer doesn’t face any problem related with language. The afternoon sessions started with the mind fullness meditation facilitated by Mr. Pradip. The group of the participants was divided in the group of three. Suggestion: o To take the consent from the respondent for scaling in the participation scale. o Attentive in selecting the cases for the testimonial therapy; as one survivor healed himself. Problem encountered while filling the initial M&E in the participatory discussion:

•

The direct interviewing the question and answer was boring to the one survivor.

The participants were advised to read participation scale for more understanding. DAY 3 The third day of the training started with the feed back on the M&E questionnaire. The problem encountered in the learning process of filling M&E was very similar to the Varanasi and the Ranchi workshop and Ms. Shabana Khan gave the feed back on the M&E as o No joint name of the therapist mention in the M&E by all four groups. o One group doesn’t mention the complete address of the survivor. o One group diagnoses the symptoms of suicidal tendency and depression. As no testimonial therapy is given to survivors showing these types symptoms. o Numbering in the Participation scale and WHO ICF5 o One group mentions delivery ceremony through newspaper.

Feed back on M&E through power point presentation Dr. Lenin presented session one; procedure for testimony and guideline for writing good testimony. Mr. Montu (Survivor) & Mr. Pradip (Note taker) did role play in local manipurian language for better expressing emotion and fear, which help participants in taking the testimony.

The afternoon session starts with the mindfulness meditation facilitated by Mr. Pradip. In the role play participants were divided into group of three, one interviewer, one note taker and one Survivor. The survivors were given 5 minutes to study the pain and trauma and they were also directed not to look the M&E while giving testimony. Roles were exchanged and every participant played the role of Interviewer, Note taker and Survivors.

Participants doing role play DAY 4 The fourth day started with the recap of the third day by one of the participant. The training proceeded with the session second i.e. closing of the story. Mr. Pradip (Interviewer) read the story to the Mr. Montu (Survivor), he made few corrections and in second session survivor has more trust on the therapists.

Mr. Montu and Mr. Pradeep doing role Play For the role play participants sit in the group of three: one interviewer, one note-taker and one survivor, as they were sitting on the first day. Note taker read the testimony in the loud voice and corrected the testimony. DAY 5 Started with the recap by the participant. In the role play 11 testimonies were taken by the participants, two were narrated in local Manipurian language and 9 were in English.

Participant summarizing the activity The initial testimony taken by the participants was thoroughly read by the Mr. Pradip and he gave his observation as given below. Language used in testimony is very important; many groups of the ongoing TOT drafted their Testimonies in English. Problem: a. The name of the Survivor was not clearly mentioned, only a name with crossed marked is put. b. The year is not mentioned in which the incident occurs, only the month and date was mentioned. c. Others unpleasant feeling and condition is not articulated. Positive • The story is simple but it keeps the flow and described the fear and phobia having with the survivor at present. • It reflected outcome of the incident to the present life of the survivor. • Testimony narrates traumatic experience and polishing of the words being used is needed in order to make it more expressive and concise. Suggestion: •

Testimony should be encouraged to written in the local language of the survivor, it could have expressed in better way. The language spoken by the survivor should be given first priority as no other language could be replaced one’s mother tongue in the context of “Giving the Voice” to the survivor’s testimony, besides through using survivors’ mother tongue, it will give

•

him/her the healing effect of the therapy more effectively. As therapist fails to narrate the vivid picture, feelings and the ultimate climax of the incident though the survivor might have retold exactly in his or her own language. The participants were explained to be careful to use the terminology of psychological symptoms like – if the survivor doesn’t want to survive due to heinous forms of torture (feeling of problem), that doesn’t mean person is having the suicidal tendency. survivors never tried to commit the suicide

The presentation on the delivery session followed with the role play by Mr. Montu, Mr. Pradip and Dr. Lenin. Dr. Lenin honored Mr. Montu with flower garland and testimony. The participant chanted the slogan “Long live the struggle of Montu and Repeal of ASPFA” The participants enrich with the following suggestion and comment in the context of the Manipur.

Honor ceremony in role play  The suggestion and comments are as follows:o Honor ceremony is very important and it is very crucial to openly organize in Manipur. o High Profile honor ceremony inviting big dignitaries. o The new concept emerges “secondary honor ceremony”, which means organizing the honor ceremony outside the state for example: in New Delhi by using the flax of Jeevan Reddy and highlighting the Sharmila “Iron Lady” struggle in each testimony. The recorded video clipping will be shown to the survivor.

o

Through demonstration, street play and folk school.

 Important consideration before organizing the honor ceremony: o Analyze the situation before organizing honor ceremony. o Focus on the survivor and implicating the name of the survivor with the consent of the survivor. o Engaging the media person. o Political implication. o Ensuring the security of the survivors, therapists and the organization. o Sensitization of the issues. o Advocacy and regional and international mobilization. o Lobby with the GOI (Government of India) before organizing honor ceremony. o The testimony can be used in system and political reformation. Already the testimonies of the HIV patients were handed to Chairperson of the National Child Commission. However there was no impact as the story were fragmented and it is important to restructure the process. Picnic cum exposure visit On the seventh day of the workshop, it was a break time for all the participant along with the organizers, it was also important for us to escape the month long curfew and bandh and relax our soul & mind, On Sunday Mr. Montu along with his network organisations organized a picnic cum exposure visit to an infamous tourist spot the Loktak lake. The Loktak lake is covering an area of approximately 286 sq.kms at 768.5 m above mean sea level. It sparkles on the southern part of the Manipur basin, some 45 Km away from the capital City, is the largest natural lake in eastern India and also a depository of the cultural history of the indigenous people of Manipur. Besides the Keibul Lamjao, the floating sanctuary of the Sangai deer (Brow Antlered Deers) which is only found here in the world is an integral part of this wetland.

Group picture at Loktak We reached at Thangga hillock at 11 A.M, from where we could capture the enchanting view of the lake and Karang island which is encircled by water from four directions. Our local guide gave us a warm reception; we parked our vehicles there and kicked off for Karang the secluded hillock island. We hired a motor boat in place of wooden canoes, as the strong gust of wind was found unfriendly for canoeing. While traveling on the boat, we were thrilled to see those daring men and women who were busy in fishing with net and fishing rods while sitting on their canoes, encountering the dazzling violent waves. The swampy “phumdis” (the floating mats of vegetation) were scattering around the lake and numerous thatched huts were seen built on the floating phumdees. The two villages of Loktak lake Karang and Thangga, are inhabited by indigenous Meiteis, having a population of around 20,000. The main occupation of the villagers is fishing. These peace loving villagers have bore the brunt of armed conflict and they went through at least two military operations that took place in 2006 and 2009, conducted by army to flush out the insurgents sheltering in the floating huts. During the both operations ten of dozens of poor villagers including women and children were subjected to force labour, arbitrary arrest, tortured and many villagers became victims of internally displacement. Incidentally, the agony of the villagers was exposed again following the arbitrarily detention and harassment of four innocent

young boys by Indian Para military forces (Assam Rifles posted at one Ningthoukhong village some 8 Km away from Karang island) on the same they we landed at the island. The distressing news was conveyed to us by few elderly women at the very moment we were about to leave the island at 12.30 pm. On hearing the shocked news we took a quick testimony of the elderly women including the mothers of the illfated boys, instantly we contacted your office through Mr. Kanishka Singh on mobile and pursued for safe release of the innocent youths. It was revealed that the innocent young boys were their way to collect some materials like sands for smearing the bamboo made wall of a house with mud which is under preparation for a proposed marriage ceremony. Fortunately enough, our mission succeeded and four boys were released without much delay. The news of safe release of their children brought a sigh of relief and smile in the vexed faces of local women, who were deeply brooding over the uncertain fate of their children. The apprehension and angst wrote large in their faces spoke a volume about the fake encounter killings perpetrated by state actors that have already claimed many innocent lives in recent times. This is being a common phobia engulfed the psyche of every mother whose son has been picked up by security personnel in the state. Details of Children who were saved from the hands of the security personnel were: Salam James so of Jhulon Singh Age 19 years, reading in Class XI, Haobijam Nanao (Bobi) son of H. Kwaklei, age 21 years, Oinam Somorjit Singh, age 18 years son of O. Sanaton Singh, Master Nongthoujam Somarjit Singh, age 11 years son of Lukhoi Singh We had our lunch in “The Youth Union for Voluntary Action organization running Embroidery Training Centre for the girls of the floating hut financed by the Central Welfare Board, New Delhi. We return back to hotel exactly at 5 pm before curfew imposed. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Secretariat Working Group on Arbitrary Detention asked some information to decide for taking urgent action on the situation. The military with the full arms and the shrill of their van is sufficient to terrorize the people SECOND WEEK: Practical The second week of the workshop started with the recap of the entire week process, emphasizing on the procedure of taking the

testimonial therapy. The participants were divided in to the group of two to take the testimony.

Mr. Montu giving orientation Each day started with brief recap by the participants, discussion on the problem faced while taking the testimony and feedback on the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) questionnaire. Mr. Montu gave orientation to the Survivor and Mr. Pradip facilitated the meditation session. Problem seen in the few M&E and remaining was quite well filled by the participants. The problem encountered: • Two options for honor ceremony were chosen 1. Public demonstration 2. Community meeting • No clear mention of Age • Numbering in participation scale (use the second option only sometime and no) • Confusion between date and date of the stressful event: (the date of the stressful event was fill in the date) Feedback on M&E by Mr. Montu • • •

M&E- Before or after in the context of the M&E M&E – Skill strategies to take it as it is too long (WHO mandate) M&E – Is it going to make the survivor boring.

Suggestion: •

•

Dr. Lenin stated participants should develop the skill of asking the question and he explain with few examples. He tried to emphasis on the technique of dialogue delivery. It is important to memories the question of the M&E. like – initial question in the casual dialogue. The second issue is rapport building with the survivor and the therapist were advised to continuous two or three visit to the survivors’ house.

Participants writing the testimony On the second and the third day of the workshop only few survivors came as there was a public curfew and transportation was blocked. Survivor Feedback • Survivors stated they felt very relief and lighter from inside after sharing the self suffering and one survivor were worried for the future consequence. • One secondary survivor dilutes her feeling of insecurity after sharing her self suffering. • One survivor stated that M&E is too long and he felt boring while answering the question. • Its provide space to speak and uncensor.

Note: Participants doesn’t felt problem in taking out the stories as survivors find the safe atmosphere and space to tell their self suffering.

Therapist reading story to the survivors On the last day of the workshop Participants accepted the conflict situation is totally saturated and structurally deep rooted to the mind of the people of Manipur, which thereby resulted to accept as a common social phenomenon. Testimonial therapy initiates a promising road map for opening the self suffering and feeling. o Testimonial Therapy is very effective in context of Manipur o Uncensor and provide space to speak o Strategical planning before taking the testimony (The process of testimonial therapy can start without challenges and interruption). o

Orientation of fellow in close network of Wide Angle, PVCHR and RCT

o Security to fellow/trainer.

o Insecure environment or insurgency produced many secondary victims. o Resource and Relocation. o Linkage with National and International organization. o Analyzing before organizing honor ceremony and assurance of proper safety to the survivors/organizer/community worker. o

Testimony can be used for repeal of Arm Special Forces Power Act 1958 (ASFPA).

Dr. Lenin explained the quick testimony. Participants easily understood as in Picnic we took the quick testimony of the mothers of detainee children. I explain them for the selection of the cases for the testimonial therapy and preparing the sheet. Participants were explicated for the use of various website for using testimony for the campaign, advocacy and protection of Human Rights Defender. Like – frontline, Ireland, Youtube, mynews, Blogspot, online petition, facebook etc. We also demonstrate the video footage of Dr. Amardeep Gupta and Ratan Deep Gupta and explained how this video footage was used in campaign. Dr. Lenin also explained “taking care of the caretaker", as few participants feel the trauma inside themselves after hearing the traumatic story of the survivors. The participants were divided in group to share the story and they felt relief. The workshop came to an end after awarding participants with certificate by the trainer.

Dr. Lenin delivering the certification to the participants

LIST OF THE SURVIVORS S. Name n o 1 Phurailatp am Sandeep Sharma 2 Oinam Nagin 3 Phairemb am Jamuna Devi 4 Heman Narun Mutu 5 Salam Bobo 6 Nonthonb am Anuradha Devi 7 Loukrakpa m Chintama ni Devi 8 Wawheng bam

Address

Ag e

Educati on

Religion

U.C

Backwar d caste

Schedul e

Imphal West

24

Seconda ry

Hindu

X

Moirang

27

Primary

X

Moirang,

27

None

Sanamahi sm Hindu

Bishunpur

32

Primary

Sanamahi sm

Leirak

25

Atheist

Imphal West

33

Seconda ry Primary

Indigenou s group (Meitei) Meitei

Imphal West

44

Primary

Christian

Imphal West

47

Primary

Sanamahi sm

Mal Fem e ale

Occupation

P. V

X

Peer Educator

X

X

Self Employment Self Employment

X

X

Casual Labour

X

X

Private job

X

X

Agriculture

X

X

Self Employment

X

X

Agriculture

Indigenou s group

X

Hindu

Indigenou s group (Meitei) X (Me itei) Indigenou s group

X

S V

X

X

1 2

Manilima Asangba m Purnimasi Devi A Rambam Jimmy Singh Huiren Kumarjit Singh R.K Chaoba

1 3

Heikrunja m Kenedy

Imphal West

22

B.A

Hindu

1 4

Haotam Indu

Imphal West

63

Seconda ry

Hindu

1 5

Haobam Meimi

Imphal West

49

B.A

Sanamahi sm

9

1 0 1 1

(Meitei) Indigenou s group (Meitei)

Imphal East

50

None

Hindu

Moirang

32

Seconda ry

Hindu

Indigenou s group (Meitei)

X

Business

X

Imphal West

25

Seconda ry

Hindu

Indigenou s group (Meitei)

X

Musician

X

Imphal West

26

Seconda ry

Hindu

X

Business

X

X

Student

X

Total P.V: Primary Victim S.V: Secondary Victim U.C: Upper caste

X (Me itei) Indigenou s group (Meitei)

X

X (Me itei)

4

Indigenou s group (Meitei) 11

8

Landless labourer

X

X

Agriculture

X

X

Unemploymen t

X

7

10 5

Sanamahism Sanamahism is one of the oldest religions of South Asia. It originated in Manipur and is mainly practiced by the Meeteis/Meiteis, Kabui and Zeliangrong and few other communities who inhabit in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, U.P, Myanmar, Bangladesh, UK, USA and Canada etc. It is still followed and worshiped by the valley and Hill based people even though they are partially converted to Christian and Hindu The study of Sanamahi religion may be termed as `SANAMAHISM` and the followers as SANAMAHISTS` it simply the cult of Sanamahi the creator of Meetei trinity, the Sidaba Mapu – The original religion of the native Manipur is Sanamahism . http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/sanamahism Meitei The Meiteis are the majority ethnic group of Manipur, India, and because of this are sometimes referred to as Manipuris. The major population is concentrated in the Imphal valley of Manipur, Cachar valley of Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Few of the Meiteis are also followers of Vaishnavite Hinduism without leaving their ancient Meitei religion, recently known as "Sanamahi Laining" (Sanamahism) and there are some individuals who follow religions like Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith. The original religion of the native Manipur is Sanamahism. All meiteis follow LORD SANAMAHI (a Devine god) and every family prays LORD SANAMAHI every morning and evening. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meitei_people  Open letter was sent to the Chief Minister of Manipur regarding picking up of 11 years old girl Ms. Vidya Rani by the Commandos. An Urgent Appeal was released to save the life of Female Human Rights Defender who received threat for opposing the arbitrary detention of a school girl Ms. Salam Bidyarani Devi. • • •

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-letter-tochief-minsiter-of.html http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/08/india-please-take-immediateaction-to_19.html http://http//pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/08/india-please-takeimmediate-action-to_19.html

b). Management and Planning assessment: The assessment was done by Ms. Loreine B. dela Cruz, Chairperson, Balay, Philippines from 9th July – 31 July, 09. The process engaged from Governing board to partner organization and communities. Five years strategic plan of PVCHR was designed. The schedule of organization development is given belowActivity OD Process

Strategic planning process Performance Appraisal Input and Exercise Feedback Inauguration of School Departure

Stakeholders Involved Meeting with Dr. Lenin and Staff Management Governing Board Staff Partner-organizations Partner-communities Management

Duration July 9: Arrival July July July July July July

10-13 14 15-16 17 18 19-23

Staff Management

July 24 July 25-26

Management Management

July 28 July 30 July 31

C. The survivors of the first pilot project were being followed by Mr. Upendra Kumar, Assistant project co-ordinator and one survivor Mr. Banshi Rajbhar (20) passed away and another survivor Ms. Rabri Devi (21) has migrated to some another place. II. Psycho – Legal support to survivor: 1. Web Advocacy: (You tube and mynews) The video footage of Dr. Amar Deep Gupta & Ratan Deep Gupta was used in their documentary produced by British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC), Human Rights Watch and Aljajira. It is how testimony and our work are contributing in broader debate against torture. Please see the given below URL:-



http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/29/indiaoverhaul-abusive-failing-policesystem#SelectedAccounts



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8183158.stm

2. Meta Legal: (Human Rights Institutions): response is annexed i.

Mr. Harish Chandra Sonkar (Code no. 89): He is one of the trainees of the second Varanasi workshop. On 4th July, 09 he went Chaubeypur police station in the cases of illegal detention of Suresh (105), Sitalu (104) and Munni Vanswasi, all three person were the resident of the same area. He was abused, slapped by the Station Officer of Chaubeypur and he was detained for 5 and half hours. On 4th and 13th July, 09 letters was sent to Director General of Police, Lucknow, Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes Commission, New Delhi, Inspector General of Police, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police Rural, District Magistrate. Response: • National Schedule Caste Commission, letter wide no. U.P/153/2009.ACPR on 16th July, 09 directed to Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi for the investigation. Commission also ordered to avail information within 30 days after receiving of the letter. (Letter is annexed). • On 18th July, 09 National Human Rights Commission gave notice to Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi to submit the requisite information/report within 4 weeks from the date of the notice.

ii.

Mr. Ram Lal (Code no. 88): On 4th August, 09 letter was sent to Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi regarding police torture of mines labour. Response: • Commission gave notice to Senior Superintendent of Police, Varanasi to submit the requisite information/report within 4 weeks from the date of the notice. (letter is annexed) http://testimony-

india.blogspot.com/2009/09/national- human-rightscommission-new.html Mr. Sobhnath Yadav (code no. 87): on 18th June, 09 letter was sent to NHRC, and Director General, Railway Protection Force, New Delhi.

iii.

Response: • On 3rd June, 09 National Human Rights Commission stated that the complaints is not entertainable in accordance with the provision of section 36 of the protection of the human rights Act 1993 read with regulation 9 of the National Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulation 1994, as amended. Hence no action is called for and file is closed. • On 27th July, 2009 Right to Information Act, 2005 was used to know on the action taken on the letter directed by the President Secretariat (Public Section), New Delhi in serial number P-1/6805 on dated 25th June, 2009. • On 25th August, 09 RTI CELL responds the reply will send soon as it made available in the office. iv.

Sachinder, Chote Lal, Sitalu (104, 84 and 83): on 2nd July, 09 Director General of Police, Chief Justice, High Court, District Judge, National Human Rights Commission, District Magistrate, DIG and Director General of Police. Response: •

National Human Rights Commission stated that the complaints is not entertainable in accordance with the provision of section 36 of the protection of the human rights Act 1993 read with regulation 9 of the National Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulation 1994, as amended. Hence no action is called for and file is closed.

3. Legal: (from the desk of Pro- bono lawyer) a) Ajay Singh: Secondary victim (Code no. 03 ) On 4th August, 09 FIR was lodge against 14 police officers involve in the fake encounter of Mr. Sanjay Singh after a legal battle of three years 2009. Current Station officer of Gazipur police station Mr. Mohan Verma, Satendra Singh, driver Mahesh soni, S.I Anil Kumar Yadav, Rajesh Mishra, Javed Aslam, Chandra Pal Singh, Mukesh Singh, S.O

Gundappa K.S Singh, Suresh Yadav,, Narendra Kumar Mishra and others. He was encountered by Ghazipur police on June, 06. Sanjay Singh brother Mr. Ajay Singh was given testimonial therapy in the first pilot project. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/UP-Police-tops-inhuman-rights-volation--survey/499615 Kaju alias Karia: Primary Victim (Code no. 23) The case is pending in the court of ADM City Administration. U/S- ¾, Gunda Control Act. Police station Jaitpura, Varanasi has been disposed of on 11.09.09. The notice in above mentioned case has been rejected by the ADM City Varanasi and discharged Kaju alias Karia the court came to conclusion after hearing the counsel that the notice which was send by the police is baseless and frivolous. b) Bhageran Mahto: Primary Victim (Code no. 52 ) The case is transferred from the court of JM-III, Varanasi. The case is pending for summoning argument.

2. Psychological Support through testimonial therapy: (Apart from workshop)

S. Name n o 1 Shobhnat h Yadav 2 Ram Lal

Address

Ag e

Educati on

Religion

Cholapur

46

Padari, Mirzapur

23

Seconda ry none

3

Harish Chandra Sonkar. Indra Tiwari (Chaubey) . Koraina

Chaubeypu r

34

Pandeypur

40

B.A

Hindu

Baragaow

75

none

Hindu

X

X

Daisingar (Manju) Manara Devi Total

Baragaow,

39

Hindu

X

X

Baragaow,

65

Seconda ry none

Hindu

X

4

5 6 7

U.C

Mal Fem e ale

Occupati on

P.V

Hindu

Backwa Schedul rd e caste X

X

X

Hindu

X

X

Unemploy ed Daily wages labour Human Rights activist Governm ent job

Buddhist

6 Hindu 1 Buddhist

X

X

X

1

X

2

4

X 5

2

X X X

Unemploy X ed Governm X ent job Unemploy X ed 7

o The participant from Forum for Fact-finding Documentation and Advocacy (FFDA), Chattisgarh used testimonial therapy and provided psychological support to two survivors of TOV.

S V

Annexure III (Campaign): 1. Signature Campaign PVCHR on the day of its establishment and international Antitorture day celebrates as a signature campaign in 50 districts of five states of North India. In Varanasi campaign held in front of Government District Head Quarter in which 76 activists and representative from different organization participated. The fringe of the District Head Quarter echoes with the chanting slogan for the ratification of UNCAT, enactment of domestic law and to impede police torture.

The demands were placed in the banner addressing the Prime Minister of India as: o To formulate police reform on the report of police commission. o

Torture bill should be enacted through the discussion among the

o o

public. Ratification of UN convention against torture (UNCAT), 1997. To establish the schemes for social, economic and psychological

o

rehabilitation of survivors of torture and organized violence. Post mortem should not be done or related with the schedule caste "Dom community" but by the trained personnel. Because Post Mortem report is important evidence before the court in criminal cases.

o

To amend as removal of the section 197 of Cr.P.C. and direct provision of case on the alleged government personnel and officers. • • • • • • •

http://testimonyindia.blogspot.com/2009/08/response-on-masspetition-by-prime.html http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/07/glimseof-anti-torture-day-in-varanasi.html http://southasiaspeaks.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/p attern-of-human-right-violation-through-torture-andother-form-of-organized-violence-in-india/ http://testimonyindia.blogspot.com/2009/07/testimony-new-hope-forsurvivors-of.html http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/06/sign-in-supportof-torture-victims.html A peoples' intiative for torture free India OPINION NEWS MyNews.in: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/Sign-insupport-of-torture-victims/articleshow/4706255.cms

2. RELEASE OF REPORT: On 7th August, 09 report was released on “Broken System: Dysfunction, Abuse, and Impunity in the Indian Police,” at Press Club Lucknow. The program was attended by Media, Human Rights Activist and organization. The report documents ongoing violations by police in India and the lack of accountability that fuels abuse. The report also examines the ways in which everyday police working conditions contribute to and even encourage human rights violations. Broken System calls for a comprehensive overhaul of police law and practices in order to hold police accountable, significantly reduce violations by police, and build rights-respecting police forces. The report includes the interview of 6 survivors, who received testimonial therapy i.e. Ram Chander Prasad, Bhageran Mahto, Dudhnath Pal, Sanjay Singh, Naresh Gupta and Santosh Patel. Please see the given below URL o http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/08/brokensystemdysfunction-abuse-and.html

o http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/feature/overhaul-policingsystem-to-arrest-the-alarming-human-rights-violations-bypolice_100228967.html o http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8183158.stm

Dr. Lenin together with Ms. Meenakshi Ganguly and Ms. Naureen Shah presenting to media in release of report at Lucknow. 3. HONOR CEREMONY: The two honor ceremonies of 14 survivors of torture and organized violence were organized in the first phase (quarter) of the project as a community meeting and as a public protest. o On 27th August, 09 three survivors (Dhanara Devi, Kodena and Dalshingar) of organized violence were honoured in Kuwar village. The program started at 11: am in the morning and attended by the delegates from May 18 Academy. The two victims of atrocities during the Korean uprising not only gave a bear hug to the duo from Kuwar, but also felicitated them for their struggle to rear their families and fighting a legal battle against the upper castes. They made common cause with two victims of the alleged feudal atrocities in the village – Dalsingar (39), Manara (65). They also heard the tuneful Devi geet and Alhas rendered by villagers and relished food on leaf plates.

o On 28th August, 09 fourteen survivors (Sitalu, Shobnath Yadav, Sachinder, Ram Lal, Harish Chandra Sonkar, Guddu Vanwasi, Chote Lal, Amirullah, Suresh, Bimla Devi, Gulabi Devi) was honoured. The program starts at 11 am and survivors were honoured with white shawl and testimony. One human rights defender Mr. Haris Chandra Sonkar himself read his self suffering story. He felt relief and honoured from inside.

A survivor being honoured Lots of the people including the media were presented in the ceremony. Few outsider people were curiously hearing the testimonies and appreciate this initiative and were willing to tell their self suffering story.

Survivor showing his testimony

o On 23rd August, 09 Dr. Lenin and Ms. Shabana meet with Mr. Saibal, Deputy General Manager CRY (incharge of Jharkhand), Mr. Asim Deputy General Manager CRY (incharge of Manipur) in regional office at Kolkata. Annexure IV. Ms. Shirin Shabana Khan, Project Co-ordinator attended 2nd UN advocacy training session for Asian Human Rights Defenders (UNATS) from 5-11 July 2009 Student Christian Centre (SCC), Bangkok, Thailand organized by Forum Asia. She shared the testimonial therapy with the participants.  Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi attended Asian Folk School organized by May 18 Foundation at Gwangju, South Korea and he discussed the testimonial therapy.  Frontline published on the 26th volume on its front page “Most political parties, when in power in the states or at the centre, have turned a blind eye to extra judicial killings” including the statement of Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi. Please see the complete report at http://www.frontline.in/stories/20091009262002700.htm  Testimonial Therapy was presented to the delegates from American Embassy Mr. Peter Eisenhauer, First Secretary, Public Affairs, Mr. Lesslie Viguerie, Deputy Political Counselor and Ms. Mandeep Kaur, All India Principal Program Advisor; Public Affairs Section came to visit PVCHR on 16th September, 09 on “America Days.