Women, children most affected : EEFVAM President
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 26 2011:
Women and children are the worst affected sections because of the existing Indo-Manipur conflict, said EEFVAM president Renu Takhellambam Hungzo.
Presenting a paper on 'Women in Armed Conflict' in the ongoing workshop being held in Senate Hall, Manipur University today, Renu observed that many women between 25 and 25 years have been widowed because of the Indo-Manipur armed conflict.
The workshop being held under the theme "Militarism and Future of Democracy in Manipur" is jointly organised by the Department of Philosophy, MU, AMWJU, Indian Council of Social Science Research-NERC Shillong, Human Rights Alert Imphal and Manipur Research Imphal and Delhi.
The Armed Forces ( Special Powers) Act 1958 imposed to curb insurgency provides excessive power to State actors.
They have killed many people in fake encounters leaving many women widows and children fatherless.
She explained that EEFVAM is an association formed by women who have been widowed after their husbands were eliminated summarily by State actors without any trial.
The association was formed with the objective of putting an end to killing people without trial, Renu said.
These young widows have not been getting any assistance from the Government till date.
Rather they are being veiwed as terrorists having nexus with insurgents.
They are also not entitled to widow pension given by the State.
She also questioned the purpose and logic of taking up development works while the widows and their children were going hungry.
Moreover, these young widows have been facing stigma and discrimination in the society.
The session was moderated by DM College of Arts Reader Dr Ch Sheelaramani.