Call for strong judiciary issued
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2012:
Contending that incidents of rape continue to recur in manipur owing to accused persons managing to avoid the most stringent form of punishment, Joint Student Coordination Committee (JSCC) convenor Umakanta has suggested that the judiciary system need to be effective to curb such heinous crimes.
Speaking to newspersons at the Keishampat office of DESAM today in the wake of the rape of a school student on October 20 by a police personnel, Umakanta said incidents of rape take place from time to time as in most case the culprits escape befitting culprits escape befitting punishment.
Expressing that mob justice are normally associated with such cases due to people losing faith in the judiciary system in Manipur, he said to ensure effective tackling of criminal acts the judiciary system should not accord any leniency against the perpetrators.
Affirming that JSCC would will take all relevant recourse to ensure that the accused person(s) get befitting punishment, Umakanta cautioned that at the slightest indication of justice being denied to the victim the Committee will resort to intense form of agitation.
Noting that inspite of rape accused persons subjected to trial in the court of law there is no record of the perpetrators made to repent for their criminal acts, he alleged that such leniency in the judiciary system is breeding more individuals with criminal intent.
Further contending that repentance for the criminals is only temporary as they are allowed to enjoy freedom on account of granting bail after a brief period of detention, the convenor strongly suggested that the Government too should insist on stringent form of punishment against rapists.
Similarly there should be an effective policy including rehabilitation programmes, to enable the victims overcome the traumatic experience, he also prevailed upon authorities of State's Women Commission and national Child Protection Committee to prove that they do not exist only for namesake.
Umakanta further stated that under no circumstance should the rape accused be allowed to escape the most stringent form of punishment.