IMPHAL, November 9: A team of Manipur State Commission for Women led by its chairperson, L Ibetombi Devi today visited the women inmates lodged in Manipur Central Jail.
The reports of the visit will be submitted and discussed at the regional conference on women empowerment to be held at Shillong on November 16 organized under the aegis of National Commission for Women by Meghalaya women commission, informed S Meghachandra Sharma, member secretary of MSCW.
He further informed that National Commission for Women member, Wangshup Shyam had earlier visited the women inmates of Manipur Central jail and today’s visit was a follow up of his visit.
There are presently 37 women inmates in the jail and the jail authorities have been providing them with basic vocational trainings like making incense, cane made stools, etc. so that they could earn a living after their release from the jail, Meghachandra said.
The Manipur State Commission for Women after consulting with the state Social Welfare Department will provide whatever is needed for the women inmates. The commission will also provide every kind of facilities possible, including free legal services aid and will also help them after their release from the jail in living an honest life, he assured.
Saying that the increasing crime rate committed against women and child in Manipur is an act totally against the culture of the state, chairperson of MSCW, Dr Ibetombi, suggested for a united effort of the administrators and the public to bring peace and change.
“No one is born criminal. The criminal mind comes from the society only, so we need to correct the society first,” she said.
However, the women inmates in the prison expressed fear of discrimination by the society when they are released from there, H Piteshwori, member, MSWC said.
She said the MSWC in collaboration with the state Social Welfare Department will take steps to rehabilitate them by setting up of self-help groups, rehabilitation centres and kid centres so that they do not remain confined in home after completing their respective jail terms.
Saying that some cases are found among the inmates that can be taken up by the commission, she assured MSWC will look into such cases for further legal course.
Condemning the recent media report quoting an Assistant Professor of Manipur University who said that the MSWC had stopped functioning, Piteshwori said the statement was totally groundless.