DCW chief reaches Manipur, urges PM Modi, Smriti Irani to visit violence-hit state ‘immediately’

New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal arrived in violence-hit Manipur on Sunday, a day after the state government allegedly denied her permission to travel. She said she has sought an appointment with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and wants to interact with survivors of sexual assault in the northeastern state. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit Manipur immediately. His visit comes days after a video of two Manipur women being paraded naked by a mob surfaced on social media.

“Just reached Manipur. I have sought an appointment with CM N Biren Singh ji. I hope he accepts my request at the earliest,” Maliwal said on Twitter.

I have just landed in Manipur. I have sought time from the CM @nbrensingh Yes. I hope he will accept my request at the earliest. https://t.co/R6VCaSIvhc– Swati Maliwal (@SmatiJayHind) 23 July 2023

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Speaking to news agency ANI after landing at the Imphal airport, she said she wanted to meet survivors of sexual abuse and see if they have received legal aid, counseling or any compensation. The DCW chief also appealed to the state government, saying that she has reached there to help the people of Manipur.

Maliwal said, “Please allow me to do so. I have not come here to do politics. I request PM Modi and the Minister of Women and Child Development (Smriti Irani) to visit Manipur immediately. I will try to meet the governor as well.”

Earlier on Saturday, the DCW chief had alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Manipur had denied him a visit to the state to interact with survivors of sexual violence.

In a tweet, Maliwal said, “Manipur Govt has recommended that I consider postponing my visit due to law and order situation. After deliberating on their suggestion, have decided to fly to Imphal as per plan. Have sought time from Manipur CM. Will meet him & request him to come with me to meet sexual assault victims.”

She also shared a copy of a letter written to the Manipur chief minister on Sunday, urging him to facilitate her visit and assuring him that she would not do anything to create problems for his government.

In a letter to CM N Biren Singh, she said, “I seek an urgent meeting with your honorable self to discuss the extremely relevant issue of human rights violations and sexual harassment cases taking place in Manipur… Many Manipuri women have come to Delhi to escape the ongoing violence in the state. I wish to discuss the issues with your honorable self along with their welfare.”

Maliwal also sought the Chief Minister’s support to visit the violence-hit relief camps where sexual assault victims are currently staying.

She said, “I request you to issue instructions to the authorities to facilitate my visit. As a fellow citizen of this country and as the head of a statutory body protecting women and girls, I appeal to you to help provide assistance and support to the sisters of Manipur. I assure you that during my visit to the state, I will not do anything that will create any problem for your government.”

“I assure you that I will leave no stone unturned to support the Manipur government in protecting the rights and dignity of the women and girls of the state,” she added.

Maliwal said a video clip showing alleged inhuman atrocities against women and girls in the northeastern state has shocked the entire nation and she wanted to ascertain their well-being and provide assistance.

The DCW chief said he had written to Singh on July 20 and to the Manipur police chief on July 21 regarding his visit to the state to interact with survivors of sexual violence.

“A letter dated 21.07.2023 was sent to DM, Imphal, who forwarded it to Joint Secretary (Home) and requested to provide necessary assistance to the undersigned (Maliwal) and his team.

The Government of Manipur has recommended that I consider postponing my visit due to the law and order situation. After deliberating on their suggestion, it has been decided to fly to Imphal as per the plan. Time sought from the CM of Manipur. Will meet him and request him to come and meet the survivors of sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/Z8qycrnNQR– Swati Maliwal (@SmatiJayHind) 23 July 2023

The DM also gave us the contact number of Joint Secretary (Home) who confirmed to us that we can travel to Manipur and he will provide us necessary assistance in visiting the relief camps. Thereafter, we planned our journey to Imphal,” Maliwal said in the letter.

“However, suddenly we received an email from Joint Secretary (Home) requesting us to consider postponing our visit in view of the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur,” he added.

The Manipur Police has arrested five people and held a juvenile in connection with the stripping of two women in Kangpokpi district on May 4.