Meira paibis protest in front of Kangla Fort following the custodial death of Thangjam Manorama. A file picture

Imphal, June 21: Unable to take the physical torture anymore, Bina Devi of Manipur’s Bishenpur district decided to divorce her husband.

Her parents, however, did not support her decision. So, one day, 28-year-old Bina (name changed) left her husband’s house with her two children and sought shelter in the office of the meira paibi (women’s group) here. After a month’s counselling by the group, Bina and her husband were reunited.

Manipur’s powerful meira paibis, which spearhead protests against violation of human rights by security forces and militants, are discovering a new role for themselves as domestic peacemakers.

Thokchom Ramani Devi (76) and her colleague Th. Taruni Devi of the Social Reformation and Development Samaj or Nupi Samaj, who had led the nude protest against the alleged rape and killing of Thangjam Manorama by Assam Rifles in 2004, are now leading the peacemaker brigade.

The other meira paibis members who had taken part in the protest have also joined other women’s organisations and are working against social evils.

“When we do not fight against excesses by security forces, we try to solve family disputes, particularly between husbands and wives,” Ramani Devi said.

“Within a few months, we have settled more than 30 disputes between husbands and wives. We amicably separated those who could not be reunited and asked the husbands to pay alimony,” she added.

The meira paibis recently tracked down a man who had eloped, leaving behind his wife and daughter. The group then persuaded him to live with his wife again. “They are now living happily,” another member of the Nupi Samaj said.

“My husband and I are grateful to the meira paibi imas (torch-bearing mothers) for giving us advice and reuniting us,” Bina said.

The group has an office at the backstage of Imphal’s Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre at Palace Gate, where it provides refuge to several women.

Taruni Devi, however, clarified that providing shelter and succour to women was not the organisation’s full-time job. “We continue to fight against army and militant excesses.”

Though the group appears to be losing hope in getting the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act lifted from Manipur, its members pledged that they would continue to fight against the draconian law.

Ramani Devi criticised the Centre for not acting on the recommendations of the Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee, which called for repeal of the act. “How long will the Centre terrorise the people here?” she asked.