Awareness programme on violence against women and criminal justice reform system held

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 27

One day sensitisation programme on violence against women and criminal justice reform system was held today at Lainingthou Puthiba Community Hall Pourabi organised by Waiton Gram Panchayat.

A resource person Sobita Mangshatabam secretary of Women Action for Development said despite enacting various laws which are meant for protection of women and children, who are regarded as the most vulnerable group in society, the crime against them is increasing day by day.

She said “Involvement of people from every walk of life is highly needed in making those acts meaningful. And it is the need of hour creating mass awareness in every nook and corner of the state that law can protect the life of women and children. Because of this reason we are conducting this awareness programme.”

It is very unfortunate to know that the number of crime against women in the year 2017 from January to December is 300 according to the media report. And the suspicious death is 56, Sobita cited.

This proves that the crime rate is not in a favourable state. However our society is still not very serious in all these heinous crimes. Therefore number of culprits who need to get befitting punishment for indulging violence against these weaker sections of society becomes questionable, she lamented.

She informed to people about the type of women who are very prone to domestic violence after marriage. Women who belong to families that consist of only female, poor class and widow’s daughter got married under age.

Highlighting the difficulties face by victims living in hilly areas in seeking justice she said “Victims living in hilly areas hardly get legal justice as the number of cases filed from these regions is remarkably low due to the implementation of customary law. So reformation of this customary law is essential.”

She urged all not to hesitate in filing a case registration at police station if any form of crime happens in their locality of family. Giving a quantum of punishment to perpetrator through legal process is more worthy than resolving the violence by taking some petty amount of compensation, she suggested.

We are in the process of sending memorandum to chief minister and governor on giving the rape victim compensation in short period of time, she informed.

Laimayum Sevananda Sharma advocate of High court Manipur and N. Jeevanmala co-convenor of district women committee, Imphal west also attended as resource persons attended the sensitisation programme.

The dignitaries participated were Pukhrambam Surbala Devi pradhan Waiton Gram Panchayat, Whengbam Ibohanbi Singh founder member of Gem Public School, Mayanglambam Bilashini Devi pradhan of Nongren Chingnungkok Gram Panchayat and Thongbram Rockseni Devi pradhan of Nilakuthi Gram Panchayat as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.