Legal awareness mooted to check crimes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 14 2011: Disturbed by the recent incidents of violence against the fairer sex in Manipur, All Manipur Lady Advocate Association secretary Laishram Rebeda emphasised that extensive legal awareness campaigns should be conducted at educational institutions to check crime rates among the adolescent population.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Rebeda said instilling awareness to the upcoming generation with regard to severity and quantum of punishment in case of indulgence in criminal acts will certainly discourage individuals to think twice before committing any sort of crime.

observing that physical relationship out of wedlock due to naivety on legal obligation for such a relationship is one of the main causes for disputes in the future, the lady advocate suggested legal awareness programmes in educational institutions as a necessity to ensure such spousal attrition do not turn into a violent altercations.

Noting that atleast two serious crimes resulting in the death of the fairer sex had been reported in September month alone, she reiterated that apart from legal awareness young girls need constant parental counselling even if service of a professional is still a rarity in Manipur.

Reminding that in the context of Manipur it is the fairer sex who are always at the receiving end of any criminal acts, she also strongly advocated strict adherence to stringent norms at girls/ladies hostels or boardings to prevent incidents of rape and outraging of modesty.

Expressing that responsibility of hostel/boarding authorities are insurmountable than the parents/guardians once a boarder has been admitted, Rebeda, however, pointed out that no amount of legal awareness will be adequate if there is no support from every section of the society in checking crime against women.

While appreciating efforts of several NGOs and student bodies in promoting quality education, she maintained that along with academics there is need for education on moral character.

Further conceding that imitating western lifestyles and influence through advanced mobile and internet services have had a negative impact upon the young minds for such modern developments are being misused/abused by the users, she maintained that in such a situation proper guidance and counselling by the parents is unavoidable.

For any legal advice or help by the fairer sex a legal aid cell is in operation at Cheirap Court under the Manipur State Legal Services Authority under which free service is being extended to families belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) .

Moreover round the clock helpline service may be contacted on the mobile number 9612872128, she informed while adding that compared to cases of distress calls from adult women in the age group of 35-40 years recorded in the past recent trend indicate that many of those seeking help are a lot more younger, some not even in adolescent stage.

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