Imphal, December 27: Newly appointed chairperson of the Manipur State Women Commission Dr Chongtham Jamini today apprised All India Congress Committee (AICC) chairperson Sonia Gandhi of the gradual rise in crime against women in Manipur.

Speaking to this correspondent, Dr Jamini said, ''I told her (Sonia Gandhi) that the women of Manipur has excelled in many fields including arts, culture and sports.

However, in the past few years they have been victimized in many ways and crime against women has been rising be it in the form of domestic violence, rape or molestation.

I also brought to her attention the case of a young girl like Sharmila who has been protesting in a very democratic way.'' In the brief meeting which lasted for only a few minutes, Dr Jamini also reportedly told Sonia Gandhi how many innocent women and children are suffering due to the insurgency and counter-insurgency movements in the State, and asked the latter for her advice on how the State Women Commission should function in such a condition.

''I requested her (Sonia) to instruct the State Government to do its best to ease the situation and she said she will do so,'' Dr Jamini said, and adding 'she (Sonia) was a very good listener.'' Dr Jamini is in the capital since December 23 last to study the procedures and functionings of the National Commission for Women (NCW) so that the same could be applied in the newly formed State Women commission.

Later in the afternoon, Dr Jamini also met with the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson, Dr Girija Vyas and other NCW members.

She will be meeting Ambika Soni and Doner minister Manishanker Aiyar tomorrow to request their help so that the newly formed State women commission could start its work at the earliest.