Outrage and Demands for Justice: The Horrific Manipur Incident Sparks National Outcry
By Agnibeena Ghosh
A graphic and horrifying video showing two women forced to walk naked through a mob in Manipur, a northeastern state in India, has sent shockwaves through the nation and the world. The incident, which took place on May 4, recently came to light through social media, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for justice. The video depicts the women being subjected to sexual assault and abuse by the surrounding crowd of men, wielding sticks and canes as weapons.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) confirmed the incident and reported it to the Manipur Police. As of now, four individuals have been arrested, and police are conducting raids to apprehend more suspects. The police are interrogating over three dozen more in connection with the heinous sexual assault.
The Manipur Police described the incident as “a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder.” The shocking footage has triggered an outpouring of grief, anger, and demands for accountability from citizens across India, with many taking to the streets to protest the heinous act.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur has been escalating for months, resulting in over 100 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands. The violence culminated on May 3 when clashes broke out in the state capital, Imphal, during a rally organized by thousands of students from the Kuki tribe. They were protesting against the majority Meitei ethnic community’s petition for special tribal status, which would grant them various privileges, including land purchase rights and more opportunities for government jobs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had remained silent on the situation until now, finally addressed the incident and expressed his grief and anger over the incident. He stated that the act was shameful for any civil society and promised that the law would take its course to punish the perpetrators severely.In response to the video and the public outcry, India’s Supreme Court directed the federal and Manipur state governments to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent such incidents from recurring. The court emphasized that using women as instruments of violence is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the incident and vowed that his government would not tolerate crimes against women. He promised that the culprits would face the highest punishment, and efforts would be made to consider capital punishment.
However, the Chief Minister has come under criticism for his failure to defuse the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. Many are demanding more significant action from him to address the underlying issues that fuel such conflicts.
The ITLF, in its statement, revealed that the incident occurred in B. Phainom village in Kangpokpi district. The two Kuki-Zo tribal women were paraded naked after their village was burned down, and two men were beaten to death.The video captures the women’s terror as they are surrounded by a mob of men, some wielding sticks and canes as weapons, while others molest and sexually assault them.Despite the gravity of the incident, arrests were only made after the video surfaced on social media, more than two months after the event took place.
While the video evidence of the incident shocked the nation, it has also exposed a dark reality about the challenges of addressing violence against women in India. The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of existing laws, the pace of investigations, and the importance of addressing social attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate gender-based violence.The incident has raised alarm bells across Indian society, with women from a rights group in Manipur resorting to extreme measures by setting fire to the house of the main suspect.
India’s main opposition Congress party has accused the Modi government of being silent on the issue and has criticized the handling of the situation. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the Prime Minister speak about the incident in Parliament and take swift action against those responsible.
Amid the turmoil, the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) has issued notices to the state’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report on the case. The NHRC has also called for steps to safeguard citizens’ human rights, especially women and vulnerable sections of society, from such barbaric incidents.In response to the viral video, the Indian government issued an order to social media platforms, instructing them not to share the footage. The Manipur police have made several arrests, and investigations are ongoing to bring all the perpetrators to justice.
While the nation grapples with the shock and horror of the Manipur incident, it also serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence and ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens, particularly women and vulnerable communities. The call for justice and accountability resonates loudly, pushing India to confront and eliminate such atrocities from its society. It is a collective responsibility that requires unity and unwavering commitment to building a safer and more inclusive nation.
The incident has laid bare the urgent need to address inter-ethnic tensions and violence in Manipur. It also highlights the importance of safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts face severe consequences. The nation’s eyes are now on the authorities to deliver justice for the victims and take the necessary steps to prevent such atrocities in the future.
