BISHNUPUR, January 27: A protest rally and public meeting against Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 demanding ` the end to genocide, crime against humanity and war crimes and establishment of International Tribunal Court in Manipur` was held at Sagang in Churchandpur district today.
The rally was jointly organised by SABCP Singer Team, Social Action Committee, New Life Foundation, Samaritan Resource Centre, Conflict Widow Forum, Domestic Violence Surviors Forum, Woman Action for Development, North East Dialogue Forum, Social Upliftment Centre, International Care Ministry and Integrated Rural Development.
The rally was flagged by retired ZEO ST Kom from Sagang Bazaar and the rally went around the village. During the rally placards such as `stop rape as an instrument of war` `repeal AFSPA` `punish woman killers` `stop crimes against women` `punish rapists and murderers` etc were displayed.
Wangkhemcha Shamjai , AMWJU president, U Nobokishor secretary CSD, Sobita Mangsatabam secretary WAD, retired ZEO ST Kom, Babloo Loitongbam director HRA attended the public meeting as presidium members and resource persons.
Addressing the function, W Shamjai stated that the discussion and sharing of public knowledge on various crimes are happening consistently in Manipur and hailed the discussion on violence against woman as a good step in confronting the crimes. He added the more the meeting are organised, the more the unity of the people could be established.
Expressing her opinion, Sobita Mangsatabam said that huge deployment of security personnel in the state could not protect the woman and children and they are being abducted and sexually assaulted in their presence. She further added that both the state and non-state actors did not use their arms properly and there is also increasing the case of negotiating the prestige of human with financial benefits.
Meanwhile, the locals of Chandolpokpi organised a rally demanding the release of a 10-year-old deaf and dumb girl, Laishram Sumila, daughter of Amuthoi of Chandolpokpi Turel Mapal. The girl has been missing since January 21 when she went for searching for her cattle. The rally converged at the public meeting organised at Sagang.
The JAC of Borayangbi GP has urged the state government and NGOs to extend help and cooperation in finding the girl child and also protested against the kidnapping of child for ransom.