Protest rally held, another rally tomorrow
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 04 2010: Womenfolk today registered a strong protest against violence to women in the state, demanded befitting punishments to the culprits involved in the rape and murder of women in recent times so that such crimes are not repeated in future.

Meanwhile, Conflict Widows' Forum today announced that another mass protest rally will be carried out on February 6 next to condemn crime against women in the state.

During the rally which kicked off from Imphal BT Road, rallyists shouted various slogans like 'stop violence against women', 'award befitting punishments to the culprits', 'control trafficking of women and children', 'eliminate women killers', 'don't desecrate law protecting women' etc.

Women taking out protest procession in an Imphal street

The rally, organised by the All Manipur Nupi Marup marched down the streets of BT Road, Nagamapal, Kasturi Bridge, Waheng Leikai, Keishampat, and turned back to take the route up to Waheng Leikai and concluded at the Shamumakhong with a street corner meeting there.

A resolution drafted in the meeting was submitted to the state Chief Minister to draw his attention towards checking and controlling crimes of different forms committed against women in state.

In the representation, they demanded appropriate action to check crime against women and award befitting punishments to the culprits involved in the rape and subsequent murders of a widow and her teenage daughter and a 26-year old girl at Ningombam in Imphal east district.

It also demanded effective action to control tracking of women and children, elimination of culprits involved in murder of women from the soil of state and effective enforcement of Acts and Laws related with the protection of women in the state.

On the other hand, the Conflict Widow's Forum today announced that the body is organising a mass rally on February 6 next to register a strong protest and condemn the recent murder of a widow and her teenage daughter by unknown persons after possible gang rape at Phayeng which was followed by another murder of a young girl by her lover in Ningombam.

Announcing this at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul, Convener of the forum Laishram Ranjita said that the incidents have caused panic to the women of the society.

The rally will start from Model Club, Chingamakha at 9 am and will converge at BOAT where a meeting will be held.

She also appealed to all sections of the society to extend cooperation and participate in the rally.