Day -2: People’s Tribunal on Crime against women

Imphal, May 13: Upgradation of the state forensic department and establishment of community policing system will go a long way to ensure speedy justice in cases of crime against women, according to Mr. IK Muivah, DIG Range I. 
Mr. Muivah was speaking today on the topic, “Crime against women and the challenges of Manipur Police” during the plenary session of a two-day Independent People’s Tribunal on Crime Against women organised by Imphal-based NGO Women Action for Development (WAD) at Hotel Classic.
He further pointed out that the manpower of the state police department is trying its best to tackle the rising crime against women by opening special women police cells. However, sending the forensic samples all the way to Kolkata causes unwarranted delays in getting the forensic reports because of the heavy workload of the Kolkata laboratory.
Inclusion of preventive measures and rights of women in the school syllabus as well as setting up local committees for community policing would be effective measures in fighting crime against women, Mr. Muivah suggested. 
Speaking on the topic, “Criminal Trial on Crime against women: A perspective,” Former Director of Prosecution, Mr. Ng.Tejkumar also reiterated the need for upgrading the forensic department with a DNA testing unit as this is the most important aspect of investigation in  a rape and murder case. Reducing the number of prosecution witnesses and speedy filing of chargesheets also help get justice within matter of few months instead of years, he added. 
Other speakers at the panel discussion included Mr Babloo Loitongbam of Human Rights Alert, Dr. Supriya of the Department of Forensic Science, RIMS and U. Nobokishore of the United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM).
The tribunal was chaired by Mr. WA Shishak, former Chief Justice, High Court of Chhattisgarh and Dr. KS Subramanian, IPS (Retd), former DGP of Tripura. Altogether 20 cases related to crime against women, including cases of rape, kidnapping, and rape and murder depose before the tribunal during the last two days.