MHRC finds lapses in 2 rehab centres

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 17 : The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has discovered lapses and illegal activities being practiced in privately run de-addiction centres during an inspection of two centres in Thoubal district.
The inspection was carried out by MHRC Chairperson Justice UB Saha and Member KK Singh today at New Life Solution Rehabilitation Centre, Lilong and Anouba Yening Rehabilitation Centre, Kiyam Siphai in Thoubal district, according to a statement.
During the inspection, around 30 inmates were found lodged at New Life Solution Rehabilitation Centre.
On checking the admission register maintained by the Centre, it was discovered that the names of inmates admitted in 2024 were not entered in the register.
While interacting with the inmates, one inmate claimed that he was abducted by some persons on the charge of being a drug user and handed over to the Centre. The Centre, then, contacted his family and he was made to undergo drug treatment there.
On enquiring about the person who had handed over the said inmate to the Centre, the staff of New Life Solution Rehabilitation Centre could not give any proper reply, maintained the MHRC statement.
The Center claimed that it had started functioning from last year, however in contrast to this assertion, the sign board displayed at the Centre suggested that it was registered in 2005.
While the MHRC team enquired of any certificate issued by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur, the Centre showed the application form for registration which was submitted to the Social Welfare Department on February 13, 2024.
As per the MHRC statement, in accordance with the application for registration, the District Social Welfare Officer, Thoubal conducted an inspection and the Centre was given only 35 marks out of 100. Notably, it has been informed that those Centres which fail to reach 50 percent marks are not eligible to run a de-addiction centre.
In addition, the MHRC team also visited Lilong Police Station under whose jurisdiction New Life Solution Rehabilitation Centre is located.
MHRC Chairperson UB Saha expressed his unhappiness regarding the illegal activities being carried out by the Centre to the OC, Lilong. He also advised the OC to examine and take necessary action in accordance with the law.
The MHRC team then inspected Anouba Yening Rehabilitation Centre, Kiyam Siphai in Thoubal district. Even though the Social Welfare Department authorized it to run the Centre, the Centre continues to operate without following required guidelines as mandated under Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation (TRUST), stated the MHRC statement.
The MHRC also found that 5 inmates were lodged here after being picked up by some persons, who according to the inmates, were alleged agents of the Centre.