Delhi's Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday said that she would fly to Imphal, the capital city of violence-hit Manipur state, after alleging that the state government had requested that she postpone her visit, as she plans to meet the survivors of sexual assault.
In a tweet, sharing the letter written to Manipur state chief N Biren Singh, she said: “Manipur Govt recommended I consider postponing my visit due to law and order situation. After deliberation on their suggestion, have decided to fly to Imphal as planned. Sought time from Manipur CM. Will meet him & request him to come along to visit the sexual assault survivors”.
Swati Maliwal Writes to Manipur State Chief N Biren Singh about her Plans to Visit State
© Photo : Twitter/@SwatiJaiHind
While leaving for the violence-hit state, the DCW chief said: “I want to go to Manipur to meet the sexual assault survivors to make sure they have been given legal aid, counselling and compensation”.
Assuring the state government of not creating any problems, she said she would be visiting Manipur as an activist.
Earlier, on Saturday evening, she took to Twitter to share that the Manipur state government had denied her permission to travel to the state.
“After telling me I can come to Manipur, Government has taken a U Turn and suddenly denied permission to me. This is shocking and absurd. Why can’t I meet survivors of sexual violence? I have already booked my tickets after discussing with them. Why try and stop me???”she tweeted.
She even wrote to the director general of police (DGP) on Friday informing her about the plans to visit the state on Sunday to assess the situation there and submit a fact-finding report.
Maliwal plans to be in the violence-struck state till 30 July.
She has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to take steps in the case.
The Delhi Commission for Women chief's Manipur visit comes against the backdrop of horrific footage of two women from the state's Kuki community being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob of men.
According to media reports, the video is dated 4 May. The footage triggered anguish across the country, and even a sharp comment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The north-eastern state has been witnessing violence since 3 May after clashes broke out between two tribal communities.