IMPHAL, June 29: Several civil societies of the state supported by Thongju MLA Th Biswajit today took out a peace rally against the growing incident of crimes and violence against women and girls in the state.
The rally which started from Kakwa Lamdaibung concluded at Singjamei Chingamakha.
The protest rally was participated by a large number of supporters both from the hills and the valley holding placards urging the 60 MLAs of the state to wake up.
The placards also read, “Women are created by God”, “To produce medical report of the victims”, “Ensure women friendly transport system”, “Don’t treat women as commodity”, “Demand speedy trail”, “Stop torture against street vendors”, “Safety and security to women” etc.
The demonstrators also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh; Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde; Governor Gurbachand Jagat; State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh,; Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam today.
The memorandum included 20 demand including that the government must make public the legal action that has been taken so far in cases of rape, sexual violence and domestic violence in the state; the government should take up concrete steps towards sensitizing the security personnel on areas of gender and laws that ensures the protection of women and their safety; to repeal AFSPA immediately, to revive Manipur Human Right Commission and to strengthen the women commission etc.
Speaking to media persons at the end of the rally, Women Action for Development secretary M Sobita said crime against women still exist in the state and the society cannot progress as long as it exist.
She continued that the data of National Crime Record Bureau 2012 released in the year 2013 paints a very grim picture for Manipur as Manipur records 2nd place in crime against women according to the record.
She continued that 60 MLAs of the state including three women MLAs remains mute neglecting all the inhuman crimes against women.