₹1 lakh provided to gang-rape survivor
"Do not trust MLAs including me", MLA Rameshwar advises public
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 19 2023: Making a startling observation on the current situation in the state, which is facing an existential threat due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, BJP MLA L Rameshwar said that MLAs are sleeping undisturbed in the comfort of their homes while the public are spending sleepless nights in the open ground amid mosquitoes to safeguard the territory and identity of Manipur.

He also advised the public to give up their trust on MLAs including himself if they want to protect the state.

The MLA from Keirao Assembly Constituency, who is known for his sincere efforts to bring development in the society and for his down to the earth mild nature, made this remark while visiting the rape survivor from Churachandpur district, who was gang-raped by a Kuki mob of about 5-6 people on May 3 on Saturday.

He provided a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the rape survivor.

Taking the opportunity, the rape survivor also called upon women like her, who have fallen prey to the Kuki mobs, to come forward and tell their stories to the public in order to get justice and most importantly to safeguard the state.

He also appealed to the government to investigate such cases and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Interacting with media, Ra-meshwar said that he learnt about the survivor from media reports, who is perhaps the first rape survivor of the ongoing conflict.

The financial assistance he gave to her is to encourage her to live her life for herself and her families.

Though there were reports of some Meetei women felling victim of rape by Kuki mob in Churachandpur district on May 3, nobody came forward and the incident eventually turned cold into a mere rumour.

But today, the woman is coming out with her story braving the trauma she faced and it is indeed the right step towards seeking justice and encouraging others like her to come forward, he said.

There are huge roles of such survivors in steering the narrative of the ongoing crisis towards the neutral path, he added.

Recalling that the whole Meetei society condemned the Nongpok Sekmai incident committed against two Kuki women and how the Governor met the survivors and extended financial assistance, the MLA urged the Governor and the state government to visit the Meetei rape survivor as well and provide assistance to her, who is taking refuge in a relief camp now after her house was burnt and properties looted.

Expressing dissatisfaction on the one-sided actions taken up by the government, Ramesh-war said that several Meetei people have been arrested by police in relation with crimes committed during the ethnic clash but the same government has not been able to arrest a single person from among those who started the arson and vandalism in Meetei villages in Churachandpur district on May 3.He said that there is total lawlessness in the hill districts where the state government has no reach or power.

The government has not been able , to convene assembly session till date, which is very unfortunate and resentful to him.

The Centre also seems to be taking more seriously to the demand for separate administration raised by the 10 Kuki MLAs.

Even during normal meetings of ruling legislators, he proposed for doing something keeping in view of the public sentiment and aspiration.

Unfortunately, the MLAs from valley districts are unable to unite even after 100 days of the crisis, he lamented.

Giving his view on the suspension of OC and some personnel of Nongpok Sekmai police station, the MLA said that the government was quick to take up actions against the low level police personnel.

However, no actions have been taken up against any of the SPs or the then DGP, under whose jurisdiction and command the whole incident unfolded, which is unfortunate, he said.

He also highlighted the change in Meetei locality names of Moreh town into Kuki names in government issued documents, which according to him is a part of a multi-pronged, well-planned strategy, and demanded proper investigation into the matter.

He maintained that the May 3 attack on Meetei villages was carried out from all fronts in a coordinated manner and the Meeteis were taken by surprise.

Today, Meeteis are unable to return to Moreh or Churachandpur.

What Kukis are doing to their properties there in their absence is known to all.

Despite this situation, the MLAs are sleeping undisturbed in the comfort of their cosy beds and the public are spending sleepless nights in the open ground amid the swarms of mosquitoes to protect their land and territory of the state.

It is the public who are standing for the integrity and identity of Manipur in the absence of any substantial steps from the government.

The public should no longer trust the MLAs and politicians including himself if they want to safeguard the state.

It is time for CSOs to stand united fight the battle for an undivided Manipur, he contended.

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