Call for anti-racial law in Assam

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 12: Control Arms Foundation of India, along with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in collaboration with Chars and Rural Development Society, conducted a state-level meeting on ‘Ensuring Diversity, Women’s Right and Democracy in India: Working Towards Ending Racial Discrimition & Gender Based Violence’ on 11 November 2016 at Phukan Hall, Don Bosco Institute at Kharguli in Guwahati.

Addressing the opening function, Bilakshmi Nepram, founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, said that there is urgent need to develop a diversity policy in Assam and other states of Northeast to reduce the conflict and racism. She further mentioned that the Government of India still denies the existence of racism in India. “We must get to understand the concept of diversity collectively and we have to respect each other,” she said.

Nepram was speaking at the state-level meeting in Guwahati. She also laid emphasis on establishing Women Support Centres across the country to provide legal and social support to women.

Rebi Subba, advocate, Chairperson, Shamakami, Shillong and member, Meghalaya State Women Commission, stated that violence against women should not go unreported. “Gender sensitization at work place and village level is a necessity. Schools and colleges need to create a non-threatening atmosphere for its students, especially girl children,” she said.

Forensic expert Dr. Richa Pandey, assistant professor at GMC, highlighted that rate of violence against women. She mentioned that children should be educated regarding the issues of sexual assault. She laid emphasis on training of police and relevant authorities. “Economic independence of women doesn’t come without legal awareness,” she said, and laid emphasis on the establishment of one-stop crisis centre which provides immediate and relevant services to women in distress.

After a brainstorming, the meeting recommended that

· Assam State Diversity Policy must be adopted by the State government.

· Violence reduction is needed in Northeast India.

· There has to be an anti-racial law in the country.

· A policy on women protection is a must.


·   Women support centre sshould set up in larger numbers with proper basic requirements.

· Violence against women should not go unreported.

· Gender sensitization at work place and village level is a necessity.

· Trainings of police and relevant authorities.

·  Launch of a digital literacy programme for women.

· Adequate awareness on registering FIRs in police station.

· Assam government should establish ‘one-stop crisis centres’  in every district as soon as possible.

·   The Centre should implement Bezbaruah Committee recommendations.

· Women health care should be given priority.

· Schools and colleges need to create a non-threatening atmosphere for its students, especially the girl children.

· A necessity to work with media on gender just and diversity policy

·    The government of Assam should recognize that the state has become a hub of women trafficking and adequate measures should be taken to protect rights of the concerned women.

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