Leaders Outraged Over the Brutality and the Impunity With Which Women Were Assaulted in Manipur
'The fact that this incident had happened on May 4, and no action was taken more than a mere zero FIR, makes the police apathy with the victims and collusion with the perpetrators of the crime abundantly clear,' they said.
![Leaders Outraged Over the Brutality and the Impunity With Which Women Were Assaulted in Manipur](https://cdn.thewire.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20222659/image-1151.png)
Women leaders hold a demonstration against the assault on women in Manipur, in New Delhi, on July 20, 2023.
New Delhi: A group of women leaders have expressed outrage over the brutality and the impunity with which a group of men were seen assaulting two women in Manipur, during the ethnic violence in the state, in a viral video.
The leaders referred to a video that showed two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob, with several men, apparently Meiteis, walking alongside the two women as they are led into some fields. The video shows at least some of the men groping the women.
The leaders held a demonstration at the Manipur Bhawan in the national capital to protest against the sexual violence and forcible stripping and parading of the women.
While the assault took place three months ago, the video went viral only on Thursday.
“In a very disturbing manner, mobile recorded videos have surfaced on social media where a group of men have been seen parading two women naked on the streets. It is very shocking that these videos were not only recorded but also posted on digital platforms revealing the identity of these women. It violates the dignity and rights of the survivors,” the women leaders said in the statement.
“The fact that this incident had happened on May 4, right after the ethnic violence began on 3 May this year, and no action was taken more than a mere zero FIR, makes the police apathy with the victims and collusion with the perpetrators of the crime abundantly clear.”
The leaders also condemned the “complete silence” of Manipur chief minister Biren Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ongoing unrest in the northeastern region.
“Added to this is the deafening silence of the CM and PM which is highly condemnable. Women have become the direct victims of the ongoing ethnic violence in the state,” read the statement.
After more than 70 days of violence in Manipur, which led to loss of about 150 lives and left tens of thousands displaced, Prime Minister Modi spoke on the situation.
In his address, he said that “all states” must do whatever they can to protect “our mothers and sisters”.
However, The Wire analysed how the prime minister picked on this one incident, seemingly forgetting the context it had occurred in.
The leaders have demanded immediate arrest of the accused and fast-tracking of the case; action against the policemen responsible for dereliction of duty; and resignation of chief minister Biren Singh.
They have also asked the authorities to take immediate steps to restore peace in Manipur.
The women leaders who addressed the gathering were Mariam Dhawale (AIDWA), Deepti Bharti (NFIW), Poonam Kaushik (Pragatisheel MS), Ritu Kaushik (AIMSS), Nobita (CSW), Lambi (NEFIS), Kusum Sehgal and (Zimmedari SWO).
Separately, the Mahila Congress and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Thursday staged a protest over the incident and demanded resignation of Biren Singh.
Speaking to the media, Mahila Congress acting president Netta D’Souza said that the chief minister has failed in controlling the law and order situation in the state and the women don’t feel secure there.
She also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being equally responsible for violence in Manipur as he remained silent on the issue.
The IYC workers tried to march from its office to Parliament House. However, they were stopped by the Delhi Police and detained.
IYC national general secretary and Delhi In-charge Coco Padhi told National Herald that the respect of women in Manipur has been eroded, but neither the chief minister has resigned nor the Modi government has taken responsibility, it is extremely shameful.