The Women Action for Development on Monday alleged that its secretary was subjected to threat, intimidation and harassment several times by unidentified miscreants. Expressing strong condemnation of such acts, WAD urged the state government to investigate the case.
WAD stated in a press statement that on February 20 at around 9.54 am, two unidentified persons came in a red colour Activa scooter at the WAD office gate and started shouting abusive comments at Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary of WAD. The incident was reported by an owner of a shop near the WAD office gate, it stated, adding that the challenged the modesty and reputation of women.
The release, which was signed by its project coordinator Kamala Thapa, also mentioned that earlier in August, 2017, Sobita was subjected to threat, intimidation and harassment by unknown miscreants. On July 29, 2019, she was threatened by an armed person.
Sobita has been serving as WAD secretary and convenor of the Women Committee of United NGO Mission Manipur and has been working for the rights of deprived women in the state.
WAD alleged that “such an act was well planned and coordinated by some vested interest group of people to challenge the work of Sobita”.
WAD urged the authorities concerned to investigate the case at the earliest and to control such acts of threat, harassment and intimidation of women human rights defenders and women organisations in Manipur.
