Moreh protests crime and violence against women
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Moreh, December 09 2013: In connection with the observance of International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women, a mass rally cum public meeting on the theme 'Save Sharmila' was organized at Moreh today.

The event was jointly organized by United NGOs Mission-Manipur, Women Action for Development (WAD), North East Dialogue Forum, Conflict Widows' Forum, New Life Foundation, Resource Upliftment Centre for Human Interest and Social Action for Social Development.

Prior to the rally, a public meeting was held at Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraobung, Moreh with Jamang Haokip, President of Hills Tribal Council; Tomba Singh, Vice-President of Meitei Council Moreh and Lukhoi, Vice-President of All Community Development Organization, Moreh as presidium members.

Delivering the key note address, U.Nobokishore, Secretary of United NGOs Mission- Manipur stated that under the Counter Insurgency Operation and AFSPA, 1958, women in Manipur and the north east have been facing the violence and crimes being committed by security forces and armed opposition groups for a long period.

Speaking as a resource person during the meeting, Sobita Mangsatabam, Secretary of WAD, expressed concern over increasing cases of violence against women and children and human trafficking in Manipur and the lack of concerted efforts by the concerned authority to prevent the crimes.

Jamang Haokip, President of Hills Tribal Council, stated that every man is given birth by women and called upon the men folk to respect the women.

He also called upon the women to behave responsibly.

Later, mass rally was taken out from Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraobung.

The rally passed through National Highway-2, Moreh Bazaar, Fire Brigade Road, Lorrain English School Lane, Tamil Sangam, Prem Nagar, Gate No.2 Road, Tali Road and converged at Ima Kondon Lairembi Haraobung again.

The mass rally cum public meeting was participated by about 300 people belonging to different ethnic groups including Meitei, Kuki, Nepali, Muslim and Tamil who have been living in harmony in the border town.

During the rally, the participants were seen carrying festoons and placards inscribed with wordings like 'Implement Justice Verma Committee's recommendation specifically on rape and other sexual crimes in the context of armed conflict', 'Open women police cell at all police stations', 'Stop Genocide, Make charge sheet of all cases related to crimes against women and children within a period of six months', 'Identify and investigate all corrupt officers from the police stations', 'Repeal AFSPA, 1958 and Save Sharmila', 'Reform Indian Judiciary System', 'Establish special session courts for dealing with crimes against women and children', 'Don't kill women and children', 'Punish people who kill women and children', 'We demand Justice', etc.

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