Discussion session held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2013: Even as India basks in celebrating Independence Day for 66 years, people of the State are struggling for their right to life.

Various forms of crimes have been perpetrated against the State's denizens.

This was stated by Sobita Mongsatabam, secretary of Women Action for Development (WAD) while addressing a discussion programme on crimes against humanity in Manipur today at Khormidok Arapti Primary School in Imphal East organised by the Paradise United Mentors' Association.

She said people of the State are arrested, tortured and executed under the ambit of AFSPA while several others involuntarily disappeared.

Among the 1825 cases of extra-judicial killings profiled in the State, only six cases have been proven by a committee set up by the Supreme Court.

This clearly shows that many people have been killed in fake encounters, she asserted.

Apart from the patriarchal system of the society, AFSPA has been imposed.

Drugs have been smuggled into the State.

Huge funds sanctioned intended for the welfare the deprived sections of the society are pocketed by the few riches.

Besides, the human resource of the State is controlled and its natural resources are being attempted to monopolise.

Crimes against women and children are rising; women are raped, brutally murdered after rape; women are commodified; everyone maintains silence when a woman is brutally murdered by her husband, she vented while calling upon all concerned to change the system.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Dhanabir Laishram said it is time for Meitei-Pangal brethren to show their commitment to the serious problem faced by the State while also lauding their contributions to the State on several past occasions.

He said that the natural resources of the State are threatened against the backdrop of declining of social values in the State and the wave of globalisation.

Dr Dhanabir said women should be allowed to play equal roles as their men counterpart towards the path to progress while stressing on the need to break the patriarchal system of the society.

He also dwelt on the need to empower Muslim women while also at the same time protecting their social system.

A rally was also taken out by the participants after the discussion programme.

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