Activist Binalakshmi threatened by Police?
Source: The Sangai Express / TNT News
Imphal, May 13 2017:
Humanitarian activist Bina-lakshmi Nepram has reported being threatened/harassed by police.
Incidentally Binalakshmi is founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and convenor of the Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace .
The incident happened yesterday when a heavily armed police force descended on Binalakshmi's parental house.
She said this was done by those who have committed rights violations to deter the relief, rehabilitation and other forms of support given by her and her team to several women survivors of the State.
Manipur has seen six decades of violence with immense humanitarian crisis with 20,000 people shot dead and over 20,000 women widowed in past years.
The State has one of highest armed forces and police forces presence in country and is a heavily weaponised State.
Binalakshmi's team have been working for 10 years for women survivors of violence but this is the first time ever that police force has been misused by those in power who have committed murder and rights violations of innocent people of Manipur.
She is the recipient of CNN IBN Real Heroes and Indian of Year Award for her work in Manipur with survivors, Binalakshmi has strongly condemned the incident and stated, "I strongly condemn the harassment given to me and my family members in ensuring justice and dignity of people of Manipur and urge Manipur Government to immediately stop this wrongful harassment by Manipur state security forces", conveyed the press release.
"Police are meant to protect citizens and not to be used to harass innocent civilians.
We have stood strong for over 10 years for peace and justice for people of Manipur and entire Northeast Region and will not be bogged down by such threats and intimidation emanating from State machinery.
I will take this up with appropriate authorities so that action be taken.
Good governance and support for justice are what we want from Manipur Govt and not this.
Please stop this harassment immediately to me, my family and others who are fighting for justice and healing lives" .