Imphal, February 04 2010: Concerned over rise in crime against women and children in Manipur, Conflict Widows' Forum, Manipur would be taking out a protest rally at Imphal on February 6 to highlight the issue and draw attention of the Government.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, Thoubal district convenor of the Forum N Sunibala pointed out that in January 2010 alone, 20 different cases of crime against women and children including four brutal murders have been reported from different parts of the State.

If 20 different cases of crime against women and children were reported in the first month of the year itself, it is terrifying to ponder over what would be the accumulated figure at the end of the year, Sunibala said, adding that increase in crimes against women and children has created a fear psychosis among the people and more particularly among the widows whose husbands have been lost in the ongoing armed conflict in the State.

She also appealed to the Government for taking up necessary measures to curb incidents of violence and crime against women and children in the State.

Bishnupur district convenor of the Forum M Usharani categorically stated that alleged silence of the Government of Manipur inspite of rising crime and violence against women and children is condemnable.

The recent incidents of brutal murder of Chanbi and her daughter Meneka after being raped at Phayeng as well as that of Ratanmala of Khurai who was found abandoned at Hiyangthang should have awakened the conscience of the Government.

But no concrete measures have been taken up to identify and arrest perpetrators of the crime, Usharani lamented.

Like the three children left behind by Chanbi, there are many other children in the State who have lost their parents.

If the Government does not pay necessary attention towards these children, their future would be uncertain, she pointed out.

In connection with the proposed protest rally on February 6, Imphal East district convenor of the Forum Laishram Ranjita appealed to the public for support.

She also called upon the Government to arrest all those who are involved in the crime against women and children and award them with exemplary punishment.

Yumnam Juteshwari, representative of a SHG, who was also present during the press conference conveyed that the incident of murdering Sangita of Ghari who was undergoing ART treatment has created fear among the minds of women living with HIV all the more.

According to the statistic provided by the Forum, in January 2010 alone, three women were murdered after being rape, one woman was strangulated to death in her own house, nine women were arrested by the police for their alleged nexus with UGs, two women were shot at and injured while there were two complaints about missing women.

In addition to this, cases of abandoning two newly born baby girls and one baby boy are being killed have been reported in the same month.