mphal: Four women human rights defenders affiliated to Apunba Nupi Lup (Women Human Rights Group) of Manipur have received threats for seeking information about Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in their locality that falls in Thoubal district.
The Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), a Manipur-based organization, on 16th April issued urgent appeal following life threat to indigenous Meitei women human rights defenders in Mamang Leikai village under Pallel police station in Thoubal district.
The appeal says that four Indigenous Meitei Women Human Rights Defenders namely Mrs. Takhellambam Ongbi Ibempishak Devi W/o Takhellambam Ranjit, Mrs. Sagolsem Ongbi Memcha Devi w/o Sagolsem Benoy, Mrs. Mayanglambam Momon Devi w/o Mayanglambam Kullabidhu, Smt. Konjengbam Anita Devi w/o Kangjengbam Samungou, all residents of Pallel Village Mamang Leikai, PO & PS Pallel, Thoubal District, Manipur sought information under “Right To Information Act, 2005” (RTI) from the State Public Information Officer (SPIO), Block Development Officer, Kakching (BDO) & Gram Panchayat (GP), on September 20, 2010 regarding developmental works undertaken by Pallel Gram Panchayat under the national MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) and wages and welfare schemes implemented in Pallel Gram Panchayat. However, they were not provided with the information sought within the stipulated time frame under the RTI Act. In the mean time, two unidentified persons showed up at Konjengbam Anita Devi’s residence threatening four of them to withdraw their application or else face the dire consequence on April 2, 2011. They also received threatening phone calls on their mobile phones. They tried to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) at the Pallel Police Station, and the Officer in-charge, Kakching Police station for immediate necessary action but they were refused.
According to CORE, the women are still feeling insecure and their lives are at risk with no support from the local police. They have also filed appeals to the Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal District and the State Information Commission under the RTI Act. The threat is from unidentified persons believed to be connected to the Pallel Gram Panchayat and Block Development Office.
CORE has appealed to ensure freedom of movement, physical safety and security to the RTI activists and to provide requested information to the applicant under the Right to information Act, 2005. A prompt impartial inquiry into the case according to law and penalty for the SPIO and necessary action should be taken up on neglected police officials are also prayed in the appeal.
http://twocircles.net/2011apr17/mgnregs_women_rti_activists_threatened_seeking_information.html
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