Press Statement
On Manipur Violence and the Outrageous Assault on Women
20 July, 2023
We, the undersigned women’s organisations and concerned individuals, are outraged at the brutality on the one hand and the impunity and brazenness of the perpetrators of the crime against women in Manipur. 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 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.
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.
The incidents of violence against women in the country have been on the rise. This incident has sent shock pwaves across the country. We condemn the complete silence of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ongoing unrest in the Northeastern region. The government is duty-bound to protect the rights of the citizens. But the Prime Minister has been busy with his trips abroad while remaining silent on the issue.
Demonstration at Manipur Bhawan to protest the brutal assault on women –
We staged a protest demonstration against the horrific incident of sexual violence and forcible stripping and parading of women in Manipur today at Manipur Bhawan in Delhi.
Women’s anger and outrage were palpable. Their slogans “मणिपुर में तबाही की ज़िम्मेदार मोदी सरकार हो बर्बाद”; “बिरेन सिंह इस्तीफ़ा दो”; मणिपुर में हिंसा का नंगा नाच बंद करो”; महिलाओं पर हिंसा नहीं सहेंगे” rent the air.
Women leaders who addressed the impromptu gathering were Mariam Dhawale (AIDWA), Deepti Bharti (NFIW), Poonam Kaushik (Pragatisheel MS), Ritu Kaushik (AIMSS), Nobita (CSW), Lambi (NEFIS), Kusum Sehgal and (Zimmedari SWO). All of them squarely blamed both the Biren Singh government in Manipur and the Modi-Shah’s BJP government at the Centre for the ethnic violence raging unabated in Manipur for almost 3 months.
We demand:
– immediate arrest of the accused and fast-tracking of the case
– action against the policemen responsible for dereliction of duty
– resignation of Biren Singh
– immediate steps to restore peace in Manipur.
AIDWA, AIMSS, CSW, NEFIS, NFIW, Pragatisheel MS, Zimmedari SWO
