New Delhi: The Northeast’s largest insurgent group, the NSCN (I-M), has spoken out for the first time since ethnic conflict erupted in Manipur on May 3, to condemn the violence against women depicted in the viral video of Kuki women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted.The NSCN (I-M)’s women’s wing – the National Socialist Women’s Organization of Nagalim (NSWON) – said on Tuesday that it had been “left aghast and terrified” by the incident, The Indian Express reported.NSWON chairperson Hosheli Achumi said in a statement that they were shocked at “the nightmarish situation in Manipur where there are threats to women’s rights, particularly their livelihoods and dignity”.“Humanity is under attack in the most ruthless and cruel manner, that finds no parallel in the history of Manipur. What can be more horrific for women and girls when they were paraded naked, fondled and tortured in full glare of the people and media. The scene is simply heart wrenching and disturbing… The most painful thing that can happen to a woman as human being is… when a woman’s son and husband were beaten to death and her daughter gang-raped by the predators,” the statement continued.The NSCN (I-M)’s statement is significant, according to The Indian Express, as the Naga and Kuki tribes have been historically rivals in Manipur.The statement also spoke of other incidents of violence against women in Manipur, including the Naga woman who was “mercilessly killed on 5th July, 2023, at Sawombung, Imphal East district, by the Arambai Tenggol after being handed over to them by the Meira Paibis”.“In these hours of tears and anguish, we stand in absolute solidarity with the victims of this ethnic conflict and convey our sympathies to all the victims. We condemn such sexual violence and killing of women / girls / child in the strongest terms,’’ the statement said.