PREPAK calls for end to violence against women
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 24 2015:
The proscribed PREPAK has expressed deep concern over the rising rate of violence against women.
Endorsing the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), the outfit asserted that violence against women not only threatens human civilization but also poses serious challenges to the nation's future and goal.
A statement issued by the outfit's assistant secretary, publicity and propaganda LeibakNgakpa Luwang traced the genesis of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women to the killing of three sisters��Minerva, Mirabel and Maria Teresa on November 25, 1960 under a conspiracy in a car accident which paved the way for the downfall of Rafael Trujillo's fascist regime in the Dominican Republic.
The 54th session of the UN General Assembly held on October 19, 1999 declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Apart from enacting the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, India is a signatory to the UN's Convention on all forms of discrimination against women.
However, the Government of India has not implemented the principles and agreements of the convention in the patriarchal Indian society.
Since forcible merger of Manipur into the Indian Union, Indian traditions and value systems have been taking roots on the soil of Manipur.
Along with it, cases of violence against women has been rising at an alarming rate in the State too.
From 2005 till 2015, more than 1600 cases of violence against women have been reported in Manipur.
38 rape cases were reported in 2008, 53 in 2011, 63 in 2012, 73 in 2013 and 75 in 2014.Moreover, 38 minor girls between 6 and 12 years were raped in 2014 .
Observing that declining sex ratio is one major factor for the rising cases of violence against women, the outfit said that 2434 people were killed between 2005 and November 21, 2015 by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA.
The shocking incidents of Chanu Rose and Manorama and all other similar incidents were the products of the repressive regime.
The abominable culture of ill-treating and discriminating women has been continuously bombarding the indigenous society since Kangleipak was 'annexed' into the Indian Union.
Underscoring the urgent need to check this abominable trend, the outfit asserted that violence against women can be controlled only when women are empowered enough, politically and economically.
Meaningful empowerment of women would be impossible as long as Manipur remains under the alleged Indian colonial rule.
As such, all the people including womenfolk need to shoulder their due responsibilities in the common struggle to liberate Kangleipak, it asserted.