IMPHAL, December 20: A press release from the Women Action for Development (WAD), an organization working to address issues of violence and social inequality faced by women has expressed shock and strongly condemned the untoward incident at Chandel District where film actress, Momoko Khangembam was allegedly molested and assaulted in front of a huge crowd by an well-armed person who admitted he was an NSCN (IM) cadre named Livingstone at a musical concert held at Chandel High School Ground. It further said that though several security personnel were present among the crowd at the time of the incident, the inaction shown by the police in stopping the act of harassment and intimidation to the actress and two other artistes is highly disgraceful and outrageous.
WAD further appreciated the statement made in the State Assembly by the Deputy Chief Minister Shri Gaikhangam ordering for the immediate arrest of the culprit and bring justice by delivering the strictest punishment. The press note futher expressed solidarity to the campaign protesting against the barbaric gang-rape of a 23 year old paramedic girl in a moving bus and brutally assaulted in Delhi leading to public and activists storming Parliament proclaiming the nation’s shame. Noting the active involvement and participation of Women MPs and other representatives protesting the recurrence of such heinous crimes in the capital WAD said it expects the same at the State premises and its emulation by the State representatives towards the issue of safety for women and take responsibility on the issues of the steep rising crimes against women and children in the State.