IMPHAL, October 25: Following the failure of the state government to provide rehabilitation and alternative arrangement for the displaced villagers of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai who have been evicted forcibly for the construction of National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Human Rights Initiative (HRI) is going to approach National Human Rights Commission and National Women’s Commission to bring justice to the displaced families.
Addressing media persons today at Manipur Press Club, the executive director of HRI, Satyabati Devi stated that the sudden eviction of families from Lamphel Yaipha Leikai by the state government on June 6 has resulted to victimization of women, children and aged people.
A fact finding of HRI, Imphal was set up to conduct a thorough investigation wherein the team found the evicted families confined in temporary sheds.
She further stated that considering the insecurity of women and children of the village, the organization has compiled a report in the form of a complaint and later submitted to Manipur State Commission for Women. However, the officials of the commission have refused to receive the complaint.
The state commission for women should better be abolished if it is unable to redress the suffering of women. Moreover, Manipur Human Rights Commission has also ceased to function and as a result their grievances can be heard and redressed, Satyabati stated.
President of JAC Against the Eviction of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai, T Gunadhor strongly condemned the negligence and irresponsibility of the state government towards rehabilitation of the evicted families.
He further maintained that the insensitivity of the state government to the plight and deplorable condition of the evicted families, especially women and children with respect to their shelters, water, sanitation and education for children represents an undemocratic and inhumane practice of the government and also constitute a clear violation of their basic rights, primarily the right to life.
The JAC also considers as unfortunate the absence of responses to the memorandum submitted to Chief Minister on June 23 for their adequate rehabilitation and resettlement, he stated.
Gunadhor also condemned Manipur State Commission for Women for turning down the efforts of the JAC to file a complaint with the commission concerning the situation of the evicted families.
