Women bodies condemn harassment of RTI activists

Imphal Free Press: Imphal: Wednesday, May 01, 2013.

Women bodies has strongly condemned the public harassment of three RTI activists namely Sophia ,President of Thongju Part II Macha Leima RTI Apunba Nupi Lup and two other members Lakshmi and Babina on April 24, 2013 at Thongju Part II for filing an RTI application to seek information related to the Gram Panchayat of the area.

Addressing a press conference in this regard at Manipur Press Club today, Phanjoubam Sakhi President of the Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) said women bodies take the incident seriously and warned to stop violence against women.

The Pradhan and members of Thongju Part II, instead of encouraging the three activists for filing RTI application as they saw mismanagement in the facilities of the job card holders of MGNREGS work in the area, have harassed and threatened them to withdraw the application, she continued.

M Purnimasi, President Ching Tam United Women Association (CHITUWA); S Ibetombi, President Women Association for Civic Action Kangleipak (WACAK); Th Ramani, Secretary All Manipur Womens’ Social Information and Development Samaj; S Momon, President Tami Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup; and T Ibemcha, President Ereibak Enaat Chanura Loinsinlon (EECHAL) also attended the press conference.

The women bodies have taken a resolution which include that no objection should be made by the people especially the women in attaining or trying to attain women empowerment in the state. Women should not be harassed or treat badly by those who hold the law in their hands as if there is no law in the land, it mentioned.

If a woman is found guilty, nobody should beat her but penalize her in the court. Persons who harass and threatened the three RTI activists particularly Leibakpokpi and her group are informed to come at the office of AMKIL at Keishampat, and clarify that they will not repeat such incidents in the future through the newspaper, the women leaders.

Stating that most of the MGNREGS works in the state are impure, the women bodies said that no one should obstruct or threaten to withdraw the application when any women courageously seek information. When women do unwanted and wrong activities, it defames the mothers, maira paibis and womenfolk in the society, the resolutions said.