Flesh trade thrives in land of women brave-hearts
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 03 2022:
As the day ends, it is normal for shops in the market to start closing for the dpy.
However, a sad scene disrupted the routine for most people on one such day.
It was not that late with the clock striking 5.30pm.But what captured the attention of most people was a middle-aged woman, who seemed to be high on some drug and was sprawling and rolling around on the footpath in front of a closed shop near the northern end to Paona Bazar.
The pedestrians looked at the woman momentarily but then continued their way.
None stopped to help or to enquire, but rather gave a look for a few seconds before moving on.
No one seems to remember or acknowledge at the moment that the woman is one of the daughters of Manipur, who are known for their bravery and courage the world over.
The recently concluded Manipur Sangai Festival witnessed many women coming to enjoy the festival hand-in-hand with their husbands and kids.
The families also took photographs to capture the happy moments and to share on social media platforms, with smiles devoid of any sufferings or grievances, friends and relatives also uploaded beautiful comments on such posts.
As such, it would not be wrong to assume that most people including the intoxicated woman may also like to live and share such happy and carefree life.
There could have been numerous reasons which led to the present situation of the woman.
If is also understandable that the government cannot take care of each and every one in similar situation.
However, witnessing such a situation right in the heart of Imphal City should be an awakening moment for the people of the state.
On the other hand, the number of women engaging in flesh trade in Imphal is increasing day-by-day.
Among the women who have been left with no choice but to sell their bodies to survive, there are also many young girls/ women.
As the night gradually falls, these women are found standing at Paona Bazar offering "services," while leaving behind all the embarrassment and pride they once had.
Many of these women, when interviewed by the media on the condition not to reveal their identities were found to be widows.
They had tried to sell vegetables and take up other decent jobs previously.
But as the earning is not enough to feed or educate their young children, they had no choice but to engage in prostitution.
Manipur takes pride itself for respecting women and keeping the gender on high pedestal.
The womenfolk have also shown their courage and zeal, as recorded in the pages of history.
Thus, the matter of women increasingly getting high in public spaces and stepping into prostitution, should be taken seriously.
Chief Minister N Biren had continuously announced on different occasions that the ruling government is taking up steps to provide families with a job each so as to improve the financial conditions of the people.
Apart from the Start-Up and Stand-Up schemes, the government has introduced schemes to enable dropout students to continue their education, providing health insurance in the form of CMHT and PMJAY schemes.
As such, it is the question of many people whether the government will introduce some kind of scheme for these unfortunate women and lower the occurrence of such shameful incidents.
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