[Reader-list] One more candle for Manipur

[Sebastian Rodrigues]

March 11 2006

Hello and Greetings of Solidarity!

Today afternoon I shared some moments at protest demonstration in  
Delhi condemning arrest and torture of Miss Naobi in Manipur. It was  
one more torture among the thousands tortured and done to death by  
State terror in North East.  I join the protesters with my lighted  
candle with the hope that it may dispel horror and darkness.  May  
this candle be the doyen of hope and courage to all those who stand  
up and fight in defence of Human Rights, Dignity and moreover another  
world that is breathing beneath our chests. Let this candle show us  
the way to the doors and windows and ultimately open them up for  
sunlight to usher in and bring the gory reality in daring day light  
for each on to see and each one to heal. gather up your strength,  
pick up your candle and pass on the light to everyone in your family,  
in your village, in your State and in your country. For no longer can  
we afford loss and torture of any more life of People in North East  
India. For no longer can we afford to loose any more lives of the  
soldiers. India has already lost too may soldiers for past half a  
decade and it is not at all a matter of pride but of deep concern.   
For no longer can we afford hatred and brutality. We need  
understanding, trust, affection and love instead. With these thoughts  
in my heart I pass on my candle to you. The leaflet reproduced below  
I received at the demonstration today. It is my candle. Pass it on...

Sebastian Rodrigues
CACIM, New Delhi.



STOP STATE TERRORISM IN MANIPUR


It has been hardly two years since women of Manipur staged a historic  
protest by shedding their clothes off against the rape and murder of  
Th. Manoram by the 17th Assam Rifles.  the world showed its  
solidarity to them and demanded repealing of the armed Forces Special  
Powers Act, 1958. Among the most painful incidents of military  
excesses in Manipur, the recent detention and torture of Miss Naobi  
has once more captured the focus of the democratic struggle against  
human rights violations in the State.

Miss Naobi, a private school teacher , was picked up on 21st February  
evening, when she came to attend the last rite of Vikas, who was  
killed in an encounter with the Manipur police commandos on 20th  
February. In a Press conference on 2nd March in Imphal, she presented  
her tortured body to narrate the encounter with the savagery of the  
Manipur police for the 9 days in their custody. Her narratives bear  
testimony to the enormity of injustice done to the custodial victims.

She sobbed, "...The police commandos got themselves gratified with  
everything they want from my body. But, I am grateful to them for  
giving me the chance to narrate my agony by sparing my life at least..."

After the ritual, she was in a room with two other girls. Though she  
was aware of the presence of Manipur police commandos, she was not  
apprehensive of the presence as she thought she was innocent and they  
had nothing to do with her.  However, to her surprise, the commandoes  
ordered that she, along with the other two girls, should come out. As  
soon as she went out alone the commandos pulled her by hair. She was  
pounded and later dumped into the police van.  they left the place at  
around 3 pm.  Somewhere between nowhere, seemingly  at a roadside,  
the police van stopped. She did not know where the van stopped as she  
was blindfolded.

She said: "They forced me to undress, I resisted but their  
threatening presence made my resistance gave in.  I did as they  
wished. They were laughing to see my body.  they said, I looked like  
an AIDS infested.  They measured my body parts.  They teased me  
telling I go a bad odor".

She was again thrown into the police van. Inside the van, her body  
faced with the savagery of the police commandos.  they touched her  
private parts and played with them.  She cried for help when she  
heard some vehicles moving around. She was gagged. And the commandos  
were enjoying with the body.

The torture continued till they reached the custody by 7 pm. In the  
custody, she was asked to change dress in front of the male gaze.   
She did it. During her detention for nine days, she encountered heavy  
tortures, humiliations, insults and lacerations.  On 23rd February  
she was taken to the Chief Judicial Magistrate's office. She pleaded  
her innocence and told the CJM about the tortures she got from the  
police personnel.  The Magistrate, instead of recording her  
statement, reprimanded her for another seven days. Later, she was  
taken to another police station.

A widespread movement voiced for Naobi's safe release. She was  
released from the custody 'without any condition' on  2 March with a  
brutally tortured body, deeply wounded psyche and painfully dislodged  
dignity. What is her fault? Why do the State forces institutionalize  
violation of human rights?  Why has woman's body been always targeted  
to exercise 'armed  authority' of the State?  These are the queries  
that the democratic struggle poses against the rampant violation of  
human rights in the State.

Let's resist the savagery of the State forces;

let's fight for the HUMAN RIGHTS and DIGNITY.


Published by the Manipur Students' Association, Delhi, Dated 11th  
March 2006
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