A team of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) comprising member KK Singh along with Inspector General of Police, Mamata Wahengbam and Law Officer W Basantakumar inspected Langol Old Age Home and Children Home run by Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti in Imphal West.
MHRC team was also accompanied by officers of its Investigation Division Inspector Lokendra Khaidem and Sub-Inspector Loitongbam Petersony Singh.
During their visit, the MHRC took stock of the amenities provided at the Old Age and Children Home including food, accommodation and healthcare.
At Langol Old Age Home, the MHRC team interacted with aged inmates. The inmates, who are mostly between the age of 60 to 80, informed the MHRC team that they have no other choice except to take refuge at the Home despite having their own family members. They said that their family members did not want to take care of them as they are not in the position to contribute any help to their families.
Chief functionary of the Home, who according to him was one of the abandoned aged persons by his own son, said that his Old Age Home is the only one which does not receive any grant from the government. He also said that his Home is being managed with some donations from like minded people.
He alleged that one Devan from Kiyamgei Khoirom Leikai took Rs 2.5 lakh from him to build a house-cum-office of the Home. He claimed that Devan initially started constructing the Home, but it was never completed. While he watered the cemented brick/wall, it got spoiled due to poor quality, for which he even had to use social media platforms, appealing the concerned citizens to take action against Devan.
While interacting with the MHRC team, the aged inmates lamented that politicians only remember them during election time.
Candidates who contest elections would send their agents to pick them only for vote, however nobody remembers them once the election is over, he said.
On enquiry, they said that none of the aged inmates get old age pension, even though they have already applied for the scheme a long time back. They also persuaded the MHRC team to ask the district administration for providing rice under the National Food Security Act.
At the Children Home located at Kabo Leikai (Dewlahland), Imphal, MHRC team interacted with the officials of the Children Home. The MHRC team also inspected the char building of the Children Home which was gutted down due to devastating fire that broke out on May 4, last year in the wake of ethnic conflict.
Officials of the Home told that devastating fire had damaged most of the properties and office documents.
Later, the MHRC team interacted with children who are at present staying at the Home.
