Imphal: On July 19, shocking videos surfaced on social media, depicting a horrifying incident in Manipur where two young women were paraded naked on a road by a violent mob. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) stated that the women had also been subjected to gang-rape in a paddy field during the same incident on May 4. This barbaric act has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for stringent actions against the perpetrators.
Various political leaders, including Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, expressed their strong disapproval and demanded immediate action in response to this appalling event.
The Manipur Police initiated an investigation into the matter and assured that they are making every effort to apprehend the culprits responsible for the heinous crime.
In a strongly-worded statement, the ITLF pointed out that this incident occurred amidst an ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, and it emphasized that evidence of atrocities against Kuki-Zo tribals continues to emerge. The distressing video revealed the women being molested and mistreated by the mob as they pleaded for mercy while being paraded toward the paddy field.
The ITLF condemned the act and called upon the Central and state governments, the National Commission for Women, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to acknowledge the offense and take all necessary measures to bring the culprits to justice.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the need for united condemnation of such violence and advocating for peace in Manipur. Rahul Gandhi, former Congress President, criticized the Prime Minister’s inaction and silence regarding the situation, stating that peace is the only way forward for Manipur. Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman also decried the breakdown of relationships between communities and the prevalence of hatred in the region.
The incident has caused widespread outrage, prompting calls for justice and action to prevent such violence against women in the future.
