Manipur, IMPHAL, September 12 : It is unfortunate that the State Commission for Women became impotent due to the incompetency of its officers, a statement issued by Rongmei Lu Phuam, RLP stated after the Commission “refused to comply” to a complaint registered by Leishiwon, 36, a resident of New Canan village, arbitrarily arrested and tortured by a team of Imphal west Commando more than a year ago on August 19, 2010.
Leishiwon suffered severe injuries on her head and other vital parts of her body which made her partially paralysed and handicapped in doing her daily chores as a mother of eight children, rearing pigs for a living and doing seasonal works, the statement from RLP stated.
The Commission rejected the complaint on the ground that it does not fall within their jurisdiction, the RLP statement said and added, it also made a press release in local dailies on August 28 under the headline “Commission helpless” stating that their jurisdiction is limited by the state government and were kept like a “toothless tiger”.
On the contrary, the Commission was empowered by the Manipur State Commission for Women Act, 2006 U/s 10 (1) (c), (d) (i), (ii), the statement pointed out and elaborated further, 10 (1)(c) states to take up cases of violation of the provisions of the constitution and other laws relating to women in the state with the appropriate authorities.
The statement went on to state and quote several other sections and clauses showing the roles and responsibilities of the Commission.
It is pertinent to mention that under chapter-II, section 3 (xi) of the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 provides assault or uses force to any woman belonging to a scheduled caste or a tribe with intent to dishonour of utrage her modesty; which amounts to atrocity under the Act which is violation of Women`s rights and fall within the jurisdiction of Women Commission.
Mention may be made, as per the notification dated 29 September 2010 issued by the Commissioner, GAD, the chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women is above Deputy Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly/Minister of State and very much above the chief secretary of Manipur/chairman of MOSC and DGP/GOC Eastern Command and Vice Chancellor of Manipur University.
