Gesture meant to honour not humiliate mothers: FOCS
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 05 2022: Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS), Manipur has clarified that its decision to provide pension to the mothers who took part in the nude protest at Kangla, was simply meant to honour them and not to humiliate them.

Addressing a press meet held at FOCS office, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, here, on Saturday afternoon, Federation president Th Manihar said that FOCS celebrated the Ningol Chakkouba Festival in advance on October 26 and invited the women leaders of all the CSOs in the state, including the mothers who took part in the historic nude protest launched against the extra-judicial killing of Thangjam Manorama Devi.

Although none of the mothers attended the event, FOCS announced a pension of Rs 2000 per month for them as part of its sincere efforts to honour the brave women.

However, the reaction of the mothers for not being informed on the matter has been disheartening, he remarked.

Recounting that FOCS had honoured the 12 mothers (3 of whom are now deceased) with Lengyanphi, memento and other gifts at its best level; the president mentioned that of the 9 remaining mothers, some are living well while others not so.

As such, the Federation thought that the mothers were forced to face the difficulties due to their sacrifice for the state and thus, decided to extend financial assistance.

Contending that the financial assistance is not meant to disdain the sacrifices and activities of the mothers, Manihar said that FOCS' objective was to put the mothers at the highest pedestal of respect and honour.

Thus, the statement of not being pre-informed/informed is hard to accept, he remarked and appealed to the mothers not to assume wrongly.

Even if a mistake was made, he urged the mothers to pardon them as they would of their own children and further appealed to them to accept the Federation's sincere gift.

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