Fast track Court for crimes against women on the card
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 14 2013: Chief Minister O Ibobi has stated that a fast track court would be set up in Manipur to deal with crimes against women particularly rape and molestation exclusively.

Ibobi made this announcement during a meeting of all political parties this afternoon.

The main agenda of the meeting were the assurances given by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to an all-party delegation from Manipur.

The meeting was attended by leaders of BJP, CPI, CPI (M), RJD, MSCP, MPP, NCP, BSP, Trinamool Congress, JD (U), Forward Bloc and Siva Sena.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting which lasted for more than an hour, BJP State unit president Th Chaoba said that the President has already promulgated an ordinance to check crimes against women including cases of rape and molestation.

Moreover, the Supreme Court has also asked the Government to set up fast track courts.

With the setting up of a fast track court, trial is already underway on the Delhi gang rape case.

Taking a cue from this development, non-Congress parties urged the Government to set up a similar court in Manipur so that all cases of crimes against women including the Chandel outrage and the rape case of chilli trader can be disposed quickly.

After deliberating on the matter, the Chief Minister assured that a fast track court would be set up in the State very soon.

Ibobi further stated that the matter would be tabled in a Cabinet meeting, Chaoba conveyed.

The meeting also discussed about the assurances given by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to the all-party delegation from Manipur to book NSCN-IM's Livingstone in connection with the Chandel outrage and subsequent developments, if there is any.

The Chief Minister was not very clear on the matter.

He stated that the State Government did not receive any information from the Centre.

There might be certain difficulties on account of the Nagaland Assembly elections and the Naga peace talk.

Nevertheless, the Chief Minister together with two Naga Ministers and two Kuki Ministers have reminded the Government of India to pull up and hand over Livingstone to the Government of Manipur.

To another proposal to strengthen and introduce three-tier system in Panchayati Raj for the same system would be beneficial to hill districts besides doing away with the practice of setting aside 25 per cent of MGNREGS fund for line department which is only swindled by local MLAs, the Chief Minister assured that the proposal would be considered.

So far, the State Government has released Rs 40 crores out of Rs 60 crores for its 10 per cent share of MGNREGS.

The State BJP unit raised another proposal to set up a commission and protest agricultural lands of Manipur valley for formulating a new land law.

CPI State unit secretary Dr M Nara pointed out that the monthly salary of Rs 3000 given to VDF personnel was too little.

The Chief Minister admitted that the salary is very small but the State has been facing many financial difficulties, he conveyed.

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