By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Gun toting women cadres of the ANVC (B) have vowed to punish rapists in the context of rise in crime against women in Meghalaya.
The leader of the ANVC (B) women cadres, Silan Ginchi Marak, in a statement issued here on Saturday said that many women have joined ANVC (B) to save themselves from atrocities.
A photo released by the ANVC (B) shows teenage girls holding automatic rifles in a jungle in an unspecified location.
“There are many rape cases reported in Garo Hills and we feel that ANVC (B) provides safety to women and we have been trained to defend ourselves from the attack of men,” Silan said.
According to the woman cadre, ‘their ANVC (B) brothers love and take care of them as their sisters’.
“Women are considered weak but we are not weak anymore. We are ready to protect the women of Garo Hills. There are cases of men raping women. We are ready to take action against them because we consider that woman should be respected in Meghalaya,” she added.
According to Silan, Meghalaya must protect women from rape and other atrocities.
“We are strong and trained women and though we are not allowed to kill people, we will help Garo women to be free from fear,” she said.
Appreciating the support of ANVC (B) leaders, Silan said that they protect them from all dangers.
The woman cadre also revealed that the UALA leader Norrok alias Singbirth Marak is determined to kill them but she asserted that the cadres are ready to fight Norrok’s men, ‘though neither the police nor the Government is helping them’.
In an earlier statement, the ANVC (B) had made it clear that Norrok was a coward aiming to kill ANVC (B) women cadres.
According to the ANVC (B), Silan Ginchi is the pride of Garo matrilineal society who has taken a vow to protect the dignity and pride of Garo women.
“Silan Ginchi is our pride and we will stand by her always. Norrok should be ashamed to target Silan Ginchi. Garo Hills need peace and we will make sure that peace is protected in Garo Hills,” the ANVC (B) statement added.