Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 07, 2010:
Acknowledging the heavy responsibility shouldered by Manipuri women in various socio-political issues of the state since the past many years, the proscribed RPF has greeted the women of Manipur on the occasion of the International Women's Day which falls on March 8. A statement issued by the outfit's Publicity Secretary T Leisemba in connection with the International Women's Day gave credit to Meira Paibis for keeping alive the Manipuri society up to the present stage.
It was because of the courage and grit of Meira Paibis that the Manipuri society could overcome various issues and challenges in the course of the contemporary history.
Of the various crimes being witnessed in present day Manipur, expulsion of women from home after subjecting them to severe harassment, murder after rape, disrespect and false perception of women doing odd jobs for livelihood, perception of women as commodities and intimidation and use of indecent words by security personnel against women are becoming more common.
Even though there is very little tangible means to tackle such treatment of women, unity among women and sharing solidarity in their woes can certainly mitigate the situation to some extent, the outfit confided.
It appealed to all Manipuri women to observe the International Women's Day as an occasion to renew and strengthen the spirit of Nupi Lan and the Meira Paibi movement as well as to take fresh resolution to emancipate all womenfolk from all kinds of woes.
Underscoring the need to strive consistently for improvement of the status of women and children in the society, the outfit noted that around 90 percent of the crimes committed against women were perpetrated by men.
The RPF appealed to the womenfolk of Manipur to struggle with firm determination taking into account the prevailing situation of Manipur and fight back all criminal activities with the spirit and unyielding attitude associated with Manipuri women since ages.
Even though the Government of India is a signatory of many international covenants and treaties for safeguarding women's rights, it has been inciting its security personnel to commit various forms of abominable crime against women, the outfit alleged.
The inability of the Government to conduct a fair trial in connection with killing of a pregnant women on July 23 last year at Khwairamband only testified that the security personnel are being encouraged and permitted to commit various kinds of crime against women, it added.