Noted Manipur writer and activist Binalakshmi Nepram alleged that the Manipur state police force has threatened and harassed her on May 12 when a heavily armed Manipur state police force descended on her parental house in Imphal.
In a statement released on May 13, Nepram alleged that this was done by those who have committed rights violations to deter the relief, rehabilitation and other forms of support given by her and her team to several women survivors of the state.
Manipur has seen 6 decades of violence with immense humanitarian crisis with 20,000 people shot dead and over 20,000 women widowed in past years. The state has one of the highest armed forces and police forces presence in the country and is a heavily weaponized state, the statement further said.
Nepram and her team have been working for people affected by violence in the strife torn state for more than 10 years. Her team focus on providing relief to violence-hit women in the Northeast state.
Nepram strongly condemned the incident and stated, “I strongly condemn the harassment given to me and my family members in ensuring justice and dignity of people of Manipur and urge Manipur government to immediately stop this wrongful harassment by Manipur state security forces. Police are meant to protect citizens and not to be used to harass innocent civilians. We have stood strong for over 10 years for peace and justice for the people of Manipur and entire Northeast region and will not be bogged down by such threats and intimidation emanating from state machinery,” she said. Nepram added that she will take up the issue with appropriate authorities so that action could be taken. “Good governance and support for justice is what we want from Manipur government and not this. Please stop this harassment immediately,” she added.
As the news spread, strong condemnations to the threat and intimidation to Nepram and her family have come from different parts of the country.
