Imphal, April 08: Serving an ultimatum to the State Government to translate Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh's assurance to track down culprits involved in the murder of two Anal women into action within April 13, bodies seeking justice in the case have warned of intense agitation.

Speaking to newspersons at Nungourok office of IRCORD near Chandel district head-quarters today, president of All Tribal Women's Organisation (Chandel) Ms Amita declared that along with Chandel People's Action Committee and other civil society organisations widespread agitations would be launched in case demands placed before the Government within the stipulated period is not considered positively or fails to evoke acceptable response.

recounting a previous memorandum, which was submitted to the Chief Minister on March 23 and O Ibobi reportedly assuring a delegate to identify within 48 miscreants involved in the murder of the two Anal women, Amita said that the eerie silence maintained by the Government on the issue is not only unbearable but is despicable as such inefficiency reflects discriminatory attitude of the SPF Government.

It is pertinent to note that the bodies of PS Snowy Anal alias Julie d/o Angshong Anal of Anal Khunou village in Chakpikarong sub-division of Chandel district and Esther Anal s/o LH Angno Anal of Charongching village were recovered with bruised marks and bullet wounds from Khekman Wangmataba Oinam Leirak area in Thoubal district on March 22 morning.

Fuming at the lethargic approach of the Government in the case, the ATWO president said no more memorandum or reminder on the matter would be submitted to the SPF Government even though plans are afoot to call on Governor Dr SS Sidhu tomorrow to air their grievances.

Observing that undermining womanhood and animalistic attitude towards the fairer sex in the society had been responsible for the brutal murder of the two Anal ladies, Amita strongly advocated that as in a democratic set-up and upholding the spirit of democratic principle there should be no laxity on the part of the Government in pulling up the culprits and subjecting them to appropriate punitive action which is not conceivable under the present regime.

She also demanded that Government prove the claim that cause of death of Snowy and Esther were from gun-shot wounds as initial post mortem report had highlighted.

Regarding the series of agitations lined up by the ATWO and other bodies, Amita announced that in the first line of action bandh/blockade would be imposed along the NH-39 besides closure of shops and offices throughout Chandel district.

Further lack of positive response from the Government would compel the bodies to enforce bandh in all the hill districts followed by a state-wide bandh, she detailed.

Joining the media briefing, ATWO vice president BD Meenalhring Anal slammed the State authorities for failing to maintain law and order inspite of the fact that crores of rupees are being pumped in to upgrade security apparatus, purchase modern weapons and recruit security personnel in thousands.

While condemning inaptitude of the Government and describing law and order scenario in the hill areas as no better than anywhere else, Meenalhring gave a clarion call to the people to distance themselves from armed activists and desist from providing shelter to unlawful elements.

Speaking at the occasion, ATWO general secretary Hechin Haokip made a fervent appeal to all concerned to protect women from all forms of violence and acts of felony.

she also expressed strong resentment that State Government is yet to extend assistance through introduction of rehabilitation programme to facilitate women of the district who had been maimed in land-mine blasts sustain livelihood. While ATWO co-ordinator contended that inaction of the Government on the killing of Snowy and Esther is a testimony of the SPF Government pursuing discriminatory policy of segregating the people on community line, convenor of District Women Committee (Chandel) K Shangnaida Tontang cautioned that failing to act in the right perspective in the present case is likely to embolden anti-social elements to commit more atrocities upon womenfolk of the society.

Recounting that about ten women/girls had been killed in between March 18 and 28, Tontang said weapons purchased with the public money is only to protect life and properties of high ranking and influential individuals of the State with the commoners exposed to uncertainties arising out of the friction between State and non-State actors.

Apart from demanding punitive action against perpetrators of the criminal act, other proposal of the bodies is to extend ex-gratia/compensation to families of the victim women.

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