Stop targeting women : CRA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 15 2024:
The Centre for Research and Advocacy (CRA), Manipur has urged both the State and Central Governments to stop targeting indigenous women and to uphold the human rights of women in Manipur as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Women and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women.
CRA Manipur's appeal comes in light of the reported assault and harassment inflicted on at least eight women belonging to the Meitei community by the Jat Regiment at Sabungkhok Khunou in Imphal East District on January 14, as per a statement issued by Sanaton L, president CRA Manipur.
CRA Manipur has further urged the Government to consider the demands of the villagers, which include, to take urgent steps to control and stop the attacks by armed Kuki militants, to protect the lives and security of the villagers of Sabungkhok Khunou and peripheral villages and initiate independent investigation to prosecute the security officials involved in the assault on indigenous women.
Calling upon the Government to review the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed with the armed Kuki militants for violation of ground rules, CRA Manipur added that the State should also look into the villagers' demand to demilitarize their land and to repeal emergency laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 .
Notably, the injured women were protesting against the inaction and failure of the Jat Regiment to stop the armed Kuki militants from attacking the Sabungkhok Khunou and peripheral villages, said CRA Manipur.