Rally denounces crimes against children
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2022: Hundreds of people including students took out a rally to condemn the rise of crime against children in Imphal today.

The mass rally was organised by the Social Welfare Department.

It may be mentioned that one 16 year-old girl from Thoubal who was 'sexually assualted' by her own father multiple times died at RIMS on August 21 due to organ failure.

She reportedly consumed poison on July 31 last.

The death of the girl was sharply reacted by the people and different organi- sations.

The rally participated by over 2000 students from different parts of the State was flagged off by Additional Chief Secretary of Social Welfare P Vaiphei from Ima Khunthokhanbi Shanglen in Thangmeiband and it proceeded towards Nagamapal, Shamu Makhong and BT Road before culminating at the starting point again.

Rally denounces crimes against children

Placards which read "There is no excuse for child sexual abuse", "Chidren are not toys" and "Let the children stay safe, free and alive, stop child sexual abuse" were displayed during the rally.

After the rally, a meeting was held at Ima Khunthok-hanbi Sanglen in the presence of Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo Singh.

There, the Minister stressed on the need to cooperate amongst all stake- holders to check sexual abuse against children in the State.

Dingo continued that cases of crime against children and sexual abuse are rising at an alarming rate since last year in the State.

He said that more than 150 cases have been registered under POCSO till date in Manipur.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of such cases, the Minister said that Manipur tops in cases of sexual abuse against children in the country and it is quite unfortunate.

Dingo then urged all stakeholders including CSOs, Meira Paibis, local clubs and student organizations to cooperate to stop such crimes in the State.

The Minister added that a mass awareness programme on POCSO Act will be organized in all districts.

Maintaining that children are the future of the Nation, the Minister said that any inhuman act like sexual abuses should be immediately reported to the concerned authority so that necessary actions can be initiated against the culprits.

Earlier, a mass rally participated by over 2000 children was flagged off by Additional Chief Secretary of Social Welfare P Vaiphei.

Wabagai AC MLA Dr Usham Deben Singh, Social Welfare Director Ng Uttam Singh, members of Child Welfare Committee and Juvenile Justice Board of all 16 districts attended the programme, among others.