Suicide cases : Cops accused of ham handed probes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 06 2011:
Young Women Help Organisation general secretary Arambam Robita has accused police of not conducting proper investigation, particularly in controversial suicide cases involving women.
Against many reports of women committing suicide, there have been many instances of openly challenging such claims, often followed by protest demonstrations contending that the women did not commit suicide but were murdered before hanging them up with a rope.
In some other cases, it was contended that the women were killed by forcibly feeding them poison or poisonous substances, Robita said.
Despite all these claims and counter-claims and serious controversies resulting thereof, police never conducted any thorough investigation nor post mortem reports given to family members.
With police staying away from any meaningful investigation, many of the accused have been left scot-free, thereby indirectly abetting crime against women, Robita said.
She further noted the increasing frequency of killing women as well as the heightened cases of women committing suicide which were often shrouded with suspicion and controversies.
Giving the key-note address at the release function of monthly journal Nupigi Punshi published by the Young Women Help Organisation at GM Hall here today, Arambam Robita further noted that there were some young widows who took the wrong path in their struggle to keep the kitchen fire burning.
To ensure source of livelihood for such women has become a foremost task otherwise they may get involved in illegal activities like carrying bombs or delivering extortion notes, she asserted.
The journal release function was also attended by ex-Chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women Dr Jamini, Young Women Help Organisation vice-president Chaudhurymayum Memyaima, MLA Th Nandakishore and Father of Handicaps Laishram Nabakishore.
Speaking at the function, many family members of women who were either murdered or died in controversial suicide cases accused the Government and its police force of condoning murderers.
They also sought immediate attention of the Government to identify the culprits and punish them according to law.
According to a report compiled by the Young Women Help Organisation, 21 young women died in controversial cases of suicide between 2009 and 2011 .
Of the 21 women, seven belonged to Thoubal district, three to Bishnupur district, eight to Imphal West and three to Imphal East.
During the same period, 16 women were murdered, out of whom five belonged to Imphal East, four to Thoubal, six to Imphal West and one to Churachandpur.