Clarifying that the announcement of pension for the 12 Imas (local women) who disrobed themselves during the historic protest before the Kangla Gate was done in good faith, the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) Manipur on Saturday appealed to the Imas to consider accepting the pension.
Following the announcement of a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 for the Imas by FOCS on October 26 during the advance Ningol Chakkouba celebration, the Imas on Thursday, during a press meet, rejected the announcement of awarding pension to them, stating that it is an act of ‘insult’ to their sentiments.
"We are not trying to suppress the activities of the Imas by way of giving pensions. We announced the pension considering the economic crisis faced by some of the Imas despite their immense sacrifice made for the state," FOCS president Th Manihar clarified while speaking to the media at its office in Imphal East.
The announcement was planned as a surprise for the Imas, so FOCS did not consult the Imas earlier, he said, adding that the reaction of the Imas to the announcement is indeed "heartbreaking".
Stating that FOCS pays its highest tribute to the braved 12 Imas and have been extending their best support from time to time, including medical emergencies, the president apologised if any of their actions had hurt them and appealed to them to accept the pension amount.
