Erabot flays cops' conduct against rickshaw drivers
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 17 2012:
The 13th Foundation Day of All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers' & Pullers' Welfare Association (AMRDPWA) was observed at Rupmahal Theatre Imphal today.
A two minutes silence was also observed as mark of respect and remembrance to the demised Rickshaw Pullers and Volunteers of AMSU at the occasion.
Speaking as Chief Guest of the foundation day celebration, MLA Y Erabot observed that there would be a time when common people of the state would disguise themselves as Rickshaw pullers to check the crimes committed by police on the rickshaw pullers of the state.
He further stated that the rate of discrimination and ill-treatment of rickshaw pullers in the hands of the police is being witnessed by the people for quite a long time though the rate may be low.
But over the last four-five years the crimes against rickshaw pullers and other less privileged classes in the society has increased considerably.
Erabot cited that that a clear case of discriminating the rickshaw pullers of the state by the security forces was the manner of handling the rickshaw puller, whose body was half torn in the bomb explosion which occurred at Palace compound during the last edition of
Manipur Tourism Festival.
The police did not care to take the injured rickshaw puller to the hospital first which could have save his life, but instead carried on questioning him about the incident.
The MLA assured that he would try his level best for getting every possible welfare schemes from the Centre for the Rickshaw Pullers of the state.
He also announced that prizes would be conferred to rickshaw pullers who are sincere in their work.
RK Rajendra, ex-member of Manipur Human Rights Commission, who was also present as Guest of Honour, said that there should also be reservations for children of Rickshaw drivers and pullers of the state as done in the case of SC, ST and OBC.
Presided over by Th Basanta, President of AMRDPWA, the function was also attended by Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, President of UCM; Sh Naba, Chairman of Publicity Committee, MPCC; Advocate Md Heshamuddin and Social worker Md Safiullah as Guests of honour.