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GUWAHATI: A horrific video of two women belonging to the tribal Kuki community being paraded naked on a road by a group of men in Manipur has drawn massive condemnation across India and calls for action.
The incident happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, some 35 km from the state capital Imphal, according to a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF). The video of the incident emerged on social media more than two months after the violence in the restive state.
The two women from the minority tribal Kuki-Zomi community were gang-raped in a field, the tribal organization alleged. Scores of men can be seen walking alongside as others groped and dragged the women into the fields before they were gang-raped.
What happened?
A day before the indent occurred clashes broke out between the Meitei and the Kuki tribe in Manipur over demands for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. Clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki community have been ongoing in Manipur since May 3.
Manipur Police said they have filed a case of gang-rape and murder. The complaint filed against the incident claims that these men are suspected to belong to Metei community.
The ITLF in the statement said, “The despicable scene, which happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, shows the men constantly molesting the helpless women, who cry and plead with their captors.”
“The horrifying ordeal suffered by these innocent women is amplified by the perpetrators’ decision to share the video, which shows the identity of the victims, on social media,” the ITLF said. It appealed to the National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to take action.
Reaction
Indian political leaders and others have expressed shock on social media over the Manipur incident, and asked the centre and the state government to take action against the men involved in the horrific act.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has ordered the police to investigate this case on priority. Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani spoke to him about the horrific incident and was assured of speedy action against the perpetrators of the crime.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted in Hindi that pictures of sexual violence against women coming from Manipur are heart-wrenching. “The amount of condemnation of this horrific incident of violence against women is less. Women and children have to bear the maximum brunt of violence in society,” she tweeted.
Indian opposition parties squarely placed the blame on the Union government’s “inaction” and Prime Minister Modi’s “silence”. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Modi’s “silence and inaction” have led “Manipur into anarchy”.
Modi breaks silence
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue and said his heart was filled with anguish and anger over the horrific video of two women paraded naked in Manipur.
“I want to assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Action will be taken according to the law. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” PM Modi said in his remarks before the start of the monsoon session of parliament.
“As I stand next to this temple of democracy, my heart is filled with pain and anger. The Manipur incident is shameful for any civilized nation. The entire country has been shamed.”
The Supreme Court has condemned the “deeply disturbing” video and said the visuals showed “gross constitutional failure”.
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, asked the government to take action and also keep the court apprised about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of women in the region.
If the government didn’t act, the Supreme Court would, warned the Chief Justice, adding that the court would take up the case on July 28.
Violence in Manipur
The Kuki tribe has demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister. Over 120 have died in the ethnic violence and thousands have been internally displaced and are now living in relief camps.
Clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki community have been ongoing in Manipur since May 3.
The violence began after a solidarity march held by tribal groups against the demand to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. So far, at least 140 people have been killed, many more have been injured and nearly 50,000 displaced.
Twitter censorship
The Indian government is likely to take action against Twitter over the video and said an investigation is underway.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has reportedly also warned social media platforms on compliance with new IT rules that reiterate freedom of expression with “reasonable restrictions”.
The circulation of videos that “could lead to problems in law and order” are not permitted under law, the government has warned. An order initiating action against Twitter for non-compliance was issued last night and the IT ministry is working across platforms to ensure the video isn’t circulated further.
