Fortnight Observance On Violence Against Women
Star studded campaign staged against victimising women
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08 2012: Several Manipuri film actors took part in a rally and public meeting held today under the aegis of Women Action for Development (WAD) as part of its Fortnight observance on violence against women.

A public rally was taken out from Mongsangei in Imphal West till Pishum where a public meeting was held at Yaipha Lamjing Lup Hall.

Banner and placards reading 'We want justice,' 'We condemn Langol killing,' 'We want democracy,' 'Repeal AFSPA' etc were displayed during the rally apart from displaying various incidents of crime against women that took place from 2010-12 along with the nearest PS where the crimes happened.

Addressing the meet, actor Bonny Sharma said all criminals�be they Ministers or their kin, should be punished according to law.

Bonny said it was very unfortunate that incidence of crime against women is increasing in the State every year, while noting that even celebrities have been involved in perpetrating the crime.

Demanding fitting legal action against the perpetrators cutting across their social or political status, Bonny said no one should be left unpunished so as to check the high incidence of crime against women.

Popular actor Bonny Sharma and others taking part in a rally

Calling upon the people to empower the women, actress Abenao also urged all women to maintain self-respect.

She said fairer sex would earn respect when they show respect to themselves.

The actress noted that violence against women is not only perpetrated by men counterpart citing instances of mothers ill-treating daughter-in-laws and vice versa.

Renowned actor Kaiku said respect for women should begin at home.

He said there would be nothing to complain about the gender of one's child if she is well raised at home.

He also said that there is no restriction of work based on gender.

Women also can do what men do and the other way around.

Speaking at the occasion, a kin of a victim of crime against women said criminals freely mingled with the public after serving a jail term for about two/three months while demanding fitting punishment against perpetrators of crimes.

Sobita Mangsatabam, general secretary of WAD strongly denounced the disposal of the dead body of a woman as unclaimed body.

In the wake of the increasing number of criminals and absence of crime investigation and failure of justice delivery system, the only option left for women to prevent crimes relating to women is to launch unified struggle, Sobita said while calling upon all concerned to join the bandwagon.

Family members of victims various against women, students of TG Hr Sec School and various women participated in the rally and the public meeting.