Imphal, May 14 2009: Raising a collective voice against the 'indecent' frisking by State women police personnel during combing operation conducted recently at Khwairamband Keithel (bazar) area, more than half a dozen civil society organisations, mainly women bodies have warned the State Government of launching intense agitation if such disgraceful acts recur.

Representatives of All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj, All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Lup, All Manipur Muslim Women's Development Organisation, Human Rights Initiative, Nongchup Imphal Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Advanced Women Society Awang Sekmai, MAPI Council and Thoubal District United Development Organisation proclaimed the proposed agitation at a press meet at the office of All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Nupi Samaj today.

Speaking to mediapersons, All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Nupi Samaj president Sagolsem Taruni said that even though people are proud of having a democratic Government, they are upset at the same time owing to atrocities committed by security personnel in the State.

Apart from all these daily excesses perpetrated under the immunity of AFSPA, even lady police personnel have now started outraging modesty of the women of the State, she said and added that people must check the misdeed of these personnel by standing united before going out of hand.

Citing instances of SF excesses in the case of to Manorama and Naobi, Sanasam Satyabati of Human Rights Initiative said that State DGP must be held responsible for the act committed by lady cops in the search operation at Khwairamband bazar.

Satyabati also questioned whether using metal detector is not included in the police modernisation process.

She further asked why the top brace of the Police Department deputes its personnel without giving the lesson of police 'dos and don'ts'.

Maintaining that it is enshrined in the Indian Constitution to safeguard Right to Life and Right to Dignity, she urged concerned authority to take up necessary action in this regard.

All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Lup president Ima Momon and Sitara Begum of All Manipur Muslim Women's Development Organisation demanded punishment of those personnel involved in the 'indecent' frisking of Khwairamband bazar and take up necessary action not to repeat the same in future.

Meanwhile, seeking action taken report on the 'indecent' incident of body search of women by lady cops in full public view in the name of verification during a counter insurgency operation at Imphal Bazar on May 12, Manipur State Commission for Women said it would soon make a formal complaint to the DGP.

Informing this during a meeting held at the office of Manipur State Commission for Women located within the complex of Imphal West DC today, Chairperson of the Commission Dr Ch Jamini observed that since time immemorial women in Manipur have always protected their modesty and covered their bodies in a decent manner.

However, over the few days, women are being subjected to frisking and checking for verification during counter insurgency operation launched at Imphal city.

But the incident of May 12 in which the lady cops searched the bodies of many women after being herded to Pologround in full public view was to say the least indecent, Dr Jamini said.

Taking cognisance of the report and the photograph of the event published in a local daily as well as the complaint lodged by one lady advocate Lourembam Rebika Chanu Devi, the Commission would soon send a directive to the DGP for furnishing an action taken report in this regard, the Chairperson informed, adding that based on the action taken report of the DGP, the Commission would make necessary recommendations to the Govt to ensure such incidents do not recur.

Legal advisor of the Commission Advocate Ch Narendra pointed out that in accordance to the Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act, 1985, the modesty of the women should be respected at all time and place.

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