Newmai News Network
Imphal | June 20
Expressing serious concern about the increasing male violence against women and children in Manipur, which is often “ignored and rarely punished,” the Women Wing of United NGOs Mission Manipur has demanded a tough and permanent Special Investigation Unit exclusively meant for women to handle such crimes. Addressing media at the wing office, Convener Sobita Mangsatabam said, “A total of 467 missing cases involving women and girl children have been registered between 2001 and 2016. Most of these cases shrouded in mystery because of negligence by police.”
She informed that the latest figure includes the case of a woman who went missing on June 11. She was later found allegedly raped and murdered near Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal district on June 19.
“Male violence against women in Manipur is routinely ignored. Missing complaints are often neglected by concerned police stations here. We don’t see here local MLAs visiting any crime scene either,” Sobita further alleged.
She said due to lack of proper DNA testing centres in the state, justice is delayed to victims, adding sending samples and collecting results from other states is a time consuming task. “The performance of Forensic Science Department, Pangei is seemingly weak. We need a separate and permanent SIU and security system for women and also DNA testing centre to expedite investigation process and ensure timely deliverance of justice to victims.”
