Under fire after Newslaundry report, NCW chief says wrote thrice to Manipur authorities

The National Commission for Women received no response to three letters which raised concerns about violence against women in the state and were sent to the Manipur authorities, the commission’s chief Rekha Sharma claimed on Friday.

The remarks come amid mounting criticism following a Newslaundry exclusive, which pointed out that the NCW chief never responded to a complaint of sexual assault in Manipur but took suo motu cognisance only once the video was viral. 

The NCW chief has told the media that she had forwarded complaints received by a group in Manipur to chief secretary Vineet Joshi and DGP Rajiv Singh on May 23. She said she wrote to Joshi again on May 29, stating that the NCW “has taken cognisance” of the violence that had erupted in Manipur on May 3. She said that she wrote another letter to the chief secretary on June 19, stating that the NCW had received a representation “regarding the recent unfortunate clashes amongst the communities in Manipur”.

Sharma’s letter to the Manipur chief secretary on June 19 mentioned that the NCW “is in receipt of representations regarding the recent unfortunate clashes among the communities in Manipur which has resulted in loss of several lives and property while many have been displaced. Since women are the most adversely affected in situations of crisis, it becomes extremely pivotal that safety and security of women is ensured (copy enclosed).”

The letter on June 19 also said the commission is “forwarding herewith the representation requesting the state government for immediate support to the affected women and take appropriate action in this regard.”

Newslaundry could not independently verify the contents of the representations mentioned in the June 19 letter.

This came weeks after another letter to Joshi on May 29. “… It is extremely pertinent to respect the dignity and Fundamental Rights of all women and girls by ensuring food, safety, shelter and healthcare including distribution of sanitary napkins and special provision for lactating women in temporary shelters. In addition, a mechanism needs to be in place for quick response to the incidences of violence and harassment of women. Keeping in view the urgency and significance of the matter, I request the state government for immediate intervention in the matter and support to the affected women and take appropriate action in this regard.”

Sharma did not respond to queries by The Indian Express on whether her letter to authorities had flagged the incident of women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur.

Since Wednesday, there’s been shock and horror over a viral video from Manipur, showing two women being paraded naked by a mob. The women were sexually assaulted; one of them was allegedly gangraped. While this happened on May 4, the video went viral on Wednesday. The NCW had been sent a complaint on the very same issue 38 days before, on June 12. The complainants never received a response or an acknowledgement. But as the video went viral, the commission took suo motu cognisance of the case.

Meanwhile, the Manipur home department has now appealed to the “general public” and media to take down or refrain from any videos or posts about the incident which “will” or may be “likely to aggravate the prevailing law and order situation”.