Imphal, May 23 2009: Women Action for Development (WAD) expressed their strongest condemnation over the heinous murder of 25 years old Langailiu Kamei in Gandhi Vihar, Delhi once again bringing up the question of safety and safeguards for the many young people from Manipur based in the metro capital of India, especially the women in a press release of WAD issued by its secretary, Sobita Mangsatabam.

The statement stated that the fact that a young girl from Manipur had to go all the way to Delhi to eke out a livelihood is living testimony to the total neglect of education and livelihood opportunities for the citizens of the state by the government.

We must also appreciate the courage of young Langailu who struggled to earn a dignified living instead of being dependant on others.

WAD stated that the disposal of her body as an unclaimed body by the Delhi Police on May 09 is an alarming fact and is not the first victim of racial discrimination.

It is the latest in the series of systematic crime against Northeastern women in the national capital.

We have not yet recovered from the shock of the brutal rap and murder of six-year old Naga girl, Guipuilu Gangmei in Delhi's Mahipalpur area, the molestation of two sisters from Northeast by more than twenty men in Gurgaon area and many other such cases in the recent past and asked how much more Langailu and Guipuilu must we sacrifice before the systematic and communal harassment of northeastern people, especially the women, ends in mainland India? .

The statement further asked both the Delhi government as well as the Manipur government what steps they are taking up to ensure the protection and safety of the future generations of Manipur.

Is it not because of the prevailing tensions in the land that has driven a huge part of the youth to other cities in search for better education and livelihood? How can the state government not be accountable for these crimes? WAD further called upon the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and his council of ministers who are presently camping in Delhi to take positive steps to book the killer of Langailu, and also to ensure protection of the Manipur Students and people staying in Delhi.

WAD appreciated the Zeliangrong communities for taking the initiative and their urgent action taken up regarding the incident and extend their condolences to Langailu's family in this time of bereavement and grief, and also their solidarity to the Zeliangrong community seeking justice of Kamei's killing.

It is the hour to fight collectively against such racial discrimination perpetrated by any persons in the country.

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