Womenfolk refuse
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 03 2022:
Women who had protested nude in front of Kangla against the Indian Army on July 15, 2004 have today condemned Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) for its unilateral decision to give them monthly pensions as reward for the historic protest.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club Imphal today, Thokchom Ramani Devi said FOCS' decision to give the women pension as reward reflects their shallow understanding of why the protest took place.
Th Ramani was one of the 12 women who had protested nude in front of Kangla, then occupied by the Assam Rifles.
Of the 12, Ramani said, there are only seven of them now.
12 of them had protested nude in front of Kangla to vehemently denounce the brutal torture and killing of Thangjam Manorama also known as Henthoi by the Assam Rifles.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), without consulting them, had decided to give monthly pension of Rs 2000 to the surviving women from January next year.
She came to know of the FOCS pension through newspaper on October 27 .
When she read the news, she was hurt, Ramani said.
"When I read the news, it hurt me and I cried," Ramani said, stating the surviving women expect no monetary reward and they shouldn't accept such offers.
If FOCS had wanted to appreciate us, they should have approached us mothers and shared their desire to do so.
They should have taken our thoughts on the matter into consideration before taking the decision and announcing it unilaterally.
"We can't be bought with money.
It seems they [FOCS] don't have proper understanding of the Manorama issue.
The pain caused by the killing of Manorama is not over yet," Ramani said.
Instead of offering them the pension, FOCS should offer their prayers and pay floral tributes to the mothers when "we die", she said.
Ramani said the 'mothers' would not be content unless FOCS acknowledge their mistake and tender a sincere apology.
Ima Tombi, another surviving member of the 12 women said, she was disheartened when people called her on phone to enquire and inform that she will be getting pension from now on.
"We did not protest for money.
We had protested with the will to sacrifice to save our daughters and youths from death.
FOCS should come to us and clarify" she said.