UN special rapporteur arrives in Imphal

IMPHAL: A day ahead of her scheduled visit, UN special rapporteur on violence against women Rasida Manjoo arrived here on Saturday on a two-day visit to the state, giving a chance to rights bodies to highlight their cases for redressal.
Straight after landing at Imphal airport in the afternoon, the UN representative met senior state officials, including the chief secretary, a source said.He added that various civil bodies are also meeting her on Sunday.
To study the overall situation on violence against women and its impact in India, Manjoo is already in the country and this is the first time a UN representative has landed in Manipur where crime against women is on the rise. After taking stock of the situation on the issue, she will place a report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, the source said. He added that the same would also be submitted to the UN Commission on situation of women and the UN general assembly later. "We are so happy with her (Manjoo) visit to our state where most cases of crime against women are perpetrated by the security forces under the shadow of the oppressive Armed Forces ( Special Powers) Act," said Irom Singhajit, the elder brother of Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been fasting against the act since the last 12 years.
A memorandum highlighting the plight of women arising out of the prevailing situation is likely to be submitted to her by the rights groups during the meeting on Sunday.