Nude Protest of 2004 commemorated as Anti-Repression Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 15 2020: The historic nude protest staged by 12 women activists in front of the western Kangla Gate on July 15, 2004 was commemorated as the Anti-Repression Day.

Leaders of several CSOs spoke on AFSPA and the prevailing human rights situation in the State during the commemorative function held today at the Kwakeithel office of Human Rights Alert (HRA) .

UCM president Sunil Karam said that fake encounters are no longer heard these days not because of the Government's intervention but because of the Nude Protest of July 15, 2004 and the PIL filed at the Supreme Court by EEVFAM which was formed by families of victims of fake encounters or extrajudicial killings.

Nude Protest of 2004 commemorated as Anti-Repression Day

Remarking that the day the 12 brave woman activists staged the nude protest would remain a landmark date in the history of Manipur, Sunil Karam said that the historic protest not only exposed the atrocities committed by security forces in Manipur before the whole world but also gave an impetus to the people of the State.

As a result of the Nude Protest, Assam Rifles was shifted from Kangla, AFSPA was lifted from seven Assembly segments of Imphal Municipal area and vehicles allotted to police commandos were compelled to display the districts to which they belong, said the UCM president.

He said that Meira Paibi activists have been always at the forefront in the struggle against fake encounters or extrajudicial killings.

Again, Meira Paibi activists have been taking pro-active roles in pointing out the wrongdoings of different stake holders including politicians, police, engineers etc.

Meira Paibi activists never shied away from confronting security forces whenever the latter nabbed or detained civilians under the cloak of AFSPA, Sunil said.

Talking about the proposed delimitation exercise, the UCM president asserted that the census reports of 2001 and 2011 have gross errors.

The population figures of some areas as recorded in the two census reports are simply untenable and unachievable even if a woman is assumed to give birth to four kids in 12 months or men too are assumed to be capable of giving birth, Sunil said.

HRA executive director Babloo Loitongbam remarked that the central roles taken by Manipuri women in the 1st Nupi Lan, 2nd Nupi Lan, Nishabandh movement and the contemporary socio-economic and human rights movements are something very rare and significant in the whole world.

Manipuri women fought as vanguards in the sustained struggle for justice following the brutal rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama in 2004 and the broad day light murder of Ch Sanjit and Th Rabina in 2009, Babloo recalled.

Following the footsteps of the Meira Paibi activists in their unwavering fight against blatant human rights violation by security forces under the impunity guaranteed by AFSPA, EEVFAM and HRA filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking justice for victims of fake encounter cases.

Subsequent upon the petition and legal actions initiated by the apex Court thereafter, fake encounters and atrocities committed by security forces in the State have declined dramatically, he remarked.

As long as there are women who are patriotic and bold enough to fight for the cause of human rights and the society at large, Manipuri society will remain as resilient as ever, Babloo said.

AMKIL advisor Khangembam Anandi recounted the massive civil movement which raged for months in the State in the aftermath of the brutal rape and murder of Th Manorama.

She underscored the need for all to lend support to the collective effort of EEVFAM and HRA in their fight for justice to victims of fake encounters.

She also highlighted the importance of documenting all fake encounter cases which took place in different parts of the State.

Later, the brave women who took part in the historic Nude Protest were felicitated.

Floral tributes were also paid to two of the nude protesters who had expired.

Nupi Samaj advisor K Taruni, president Th Ramani, vice-president Ch Jamini, AMKIL vice-president Lourembam Nganbi, general secretary L Gyaneshori, All Manipur Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup president S Momon Leima, joint secretary A Jibanmala, Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup president Y Memma and Universal Mothers' Organisation president N Sorojini too attended the commemorative function.