Tapta performs during the launch of his album Ijjat Dabi on Saturday night in Imphal. Telegraph picture

Imphal, Oct. 28: Manipuri singer Tapta, known as the voice of protest against social evils, injustice and corruption, has come came out with a new album to decry increasing cases of sexual crimes in the state.

Loukrakpam Jayenta, popularly known as Tapta, released the audio of his album Ijjat Dabi (Compensation for Defamation) at a concert last night at Bheiggyachandra open air theatre here.

The audio CD with five songs gives the message to men and women to be cautious about their boyfriends and girlfriends.

The album comes out at a time when Manipur is on the boil after the alleged rape of a Class XII student of one of Imphal’s girls’ schools by a police commando driver named Yumnam William with help from his singer-actor friend Thongam Tarun.

William and his friend had abducted the girl and raped her inside a restaurant. The two accused are now in judicial custody, with home minister Gaikhangam assuring the victim’s relatives that justice would be delivered.

The album’s title song protests the culture of seeking compensation by the victim of a rape case from the accused while another song Restaurant drive denounces the alleged immoral activities by boys and girls inside restaurants in Manipur where separate cabins for lovers are provided.

Another song Hangkok (lizard) condemns paedophiles and how they haunt children.

“Cases of sexual crimes are on the rise in Manipur and I feel very sad about this. I want to do something to stop this and as an artiste, all that I can do is to use music to not only create awareness but also to protest,” Tapta said.

Another number called Press conference speaks about the danger of committing oneself before really knowing your partner well.

The singer had earlier protested against frequent economic blockades, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, harm caused by mobiles to young boys and girls and the menace of drug addiction and alcoholism.

Tapta plans to bring out more songs as part of the campaign to protest against atrocities on women in the state.

He said only men should not be blamed for the crimes. “Both men and women are responsible. In my opinion, they should try to know each other properly before establishing a serious relationship. There are cases where a girl has been assaulted by her boyfriend on the false promise of marriage and the girl is left helpless,” Tapta said.

Tapta is perhaps the only Manipuri singer whose songs were discussed by academics at Manipur University, which organised a discussion on his songs a few years’ back.