Womenfolk staged sit-in against promulgation of CrPC in Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Ukhrul, July 22 2014: Hundreds of women in Ukhrul today carried out sit-in protest against the promulgation of Section 144 of the CrPC and the deployment of large number of security force personnel in the town.

The Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) or apex Tangkhul Women Organisation said the statement of Gaikhangam, the Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur that additional security forces have been sent to Ukhrul to protect the people and make them feel safe, is baseless and false.

The very presence of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur police commando personnel is a very provocative militaristic act in itself that threatens the security and safety of the people, the TSL stated.

Womenfolk staged sit-in against promulgation of CrPC in Ukhrul

TSL said it would like to point out that the absence of any unwanted incident or confrontation with the security forces and the people of Ukhrul is because of the utmost restrain and control exercised by the people themselves.

"While thankful that no physical confrontation has taken place the people of Ukhrul, particularly women and children, are being psychologically harmed and traumatised by the mere presence of the security forces," the Tangkhul Women Organisation stated.

"Therefore, their presence vitiates the very logic of protecting and making the people feel safe," it pointed out.

"Precisely because of this, hundreds of women came out today under the banner of TSL strongly asserting that the presence of IRBs and Manipur police commandos is violating their peace and security.

TSL is also compelled to point out that the decision of the Government of Manipur to deploy state security forces and impose Section 144 CrPC has nothing to do with the interest of the people but is informed by the communal political agenda of the Government of Manipur.

The desire of the people of Ukhrul is clear, we do not want the state security forces nor is there any need for imposition of Section 144 CrPC," the TSL asserted.

TSL also said it takes this opportunity to solicit the continued support of the people, particularly Naga women, to show their solidarity by wearing black dress till the state security forces are withdrawn.

Further, all school and college female students are requested to wear black ribbons on their left arm.

This is to show that we are mourning the violation of our rights and freedoms, it stated.

TSL said, as mothers, as daughters, as sisters, would like to remind everyone that peace through militaristic and martial means is not peace.

The Government of Manipur would do well to remember this, it added.