CM bats for peace, security for women

IMPHAL, Mar 25: Chief Minister O Ibobi has assured to provide possible assistance and security to women and children of the State affected by insurgency and counter-insurgency activities. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the 1st NEI Women Peace Congregation organised jointly by Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) and Manipur Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with NEI Women Initiative for Peace today at Imphal Hotel.

The programme is being supported by European Union (EU) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH).

O Ibobi said that like in other insurgency infected States, women and children of Manipur are affected by insurgency problem.

Insurgency problem has rendered many women widows and many children orphans.

This has also caused immense economic problem to the families, O Ibobi said while adding that possible assistance would be extended to them and necessary security would be provided.

There will be development as and when there is peace. And gradually AFSPA will be scrapped, the CM said while stressing the necessity to bring in peace through collective efforts of all concerned.

O Ibobi further said that AFSPA has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir and NE States as the insurgency movement in these States has threatened the integrity of the country. As such, the Act would be removed when there is peace.

He also pointed out that women’s participation in decision making is guaranteed by the Constitution.

The inaugural session of the congregation was attended by Chairperson of State Commission for Women, Manipur, Dr L Ibetombi as the president.

PHED Minister I Hemochandra, Maharaja of Tripura and editor of TNT, Pradyot Debbarman and Thoralf Stenvold, counsellor, Head of Political Affairs, Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi were the guest of honour, special guest and special invitee respectively.

Giving the keynote address, Binalakshmi Nepram, founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and secretary general of CAFI highlighted that women and children are most affected by the armed conflict situation. She also said that women participation in decision making bodies are negligible.

The technical session on women peace and security perspective from women leaders of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh was chaired by Prof Ksh Bimola, former HoD, Political Science Dept, MU.

Jubita Hazarimayum, RK Sujata, Pratibha Brahma, S Momon, Lourembam Nganbi, Sitara Begum, Kenter Riba, Valley Rose, Rinyui Chon presented papers on different topics.

The second technical session was chaired by Pradip Phanjoubam, senior journalist.

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