TODAY -

E-Pao! Opinion - Mass Rape of Hmar Women: An Insight

Mass Rape of Hmar Women: An Insight

By: Elf Hmar *


I have to give due justice to the doubt and reservation of the majority valley-concentrated Meitei people in Manipur on the case of the rape of more than 21 Hmar women in Tipaimukh. It clearly shows how extensive the mistrust and suspicion that the Meitei people have on the tribal populace who inhabit the hills of Manipur ever since the no-mans land days.

It clearly mirrors how they eye and blindly judge their fellow citizens in the hills. It shows that Meitei chauvinism inhabits a strong importance in their ego-centric world. Lets face it, it would be hard to absorb, but the truth is that the Meiteis are communal than what it looks and that, strengthened with a very narrow-mindedness, disturb the fabric of their sane reasonings.

How much one tries to ignore this negative attitude that the Meitei boast on the other communities in Manipur, as it is deep-rooted, it would take time to have it completely uprooted. Well of course, if the world turns upside down right at this very minute, it would be a different matter.

And that precious minute is what we prized today. An overtone on the rape case taking a communal colour is a thing that matters very much for the state of Manipur and for the Meiteis. It deeply concerns the integrity of Manipur as a state.

And it is very fortunate that the heinous and barbaric crimes have been committed on the Hmar people instead of others. It is a guarantee that if these monstrous abuses of human rights had befallen on others, Manipur would have been bathing red.

Instead of trying to give communalism a chance and alleging that the Hmars are communal, the Meitei people should bow their heads, get down on their knees and thank the Hmar leaders for their cool headedness in trying to shamelessly seek justice democratically, and for not compromising the integrity of Manipur. If there are any who truly love Manipur, be it the revolutionaries, the irresponsible Manipur government or the civil societies, this is a very good suggestion to do, to publicly apologise and show deep respect and gratefulness to the whole of Hmar people in the world. Let not Meitei chauvinism inflicts and transgress more toll to what it has already infested and destroyed.

A protest rally being held at Haflong, NC Hills district of Assam on April 17, 2006

Picture Courtesy : S.Lalthansang Pulamte ( [email protected])

Never in the history of the Hmars have they mercilessly been shamed. This dishonorable blot in their history will ever remain so with them. It can never be ever cleansed because the damage has already been done against them. This horrible crime against the Hmar people is indeed an image tarnishing design to rid them of their rights and identity as human beings and rightful citizens of Manipur.

There is a need to put in some words of cautions at this crucial and volatile junction, never underestimate the Hmar people. Their patience, their peacefulness, their non-violent ways of dealing with their problems should never be an assessment for their rightful existence as a people lest the sleeping giant in them awakens.The Gospel which they embraced in the year 1910 has soften them. Otherwise, it can be disastrous for all. No, I am not joking at all.

Then there is that big question. What if the victims were Meiteis, and the perpetrators - the Jawans of the Indian Army? The whole of Imphal valleys would have stripped naked in the streets for the entire world to see, many Ranjans would be running in flames, many thumbs would have piled up, and what not.

Between the rape case of Manorama Devi and the Hmar women, the former by Indian security forces and the latter by armed militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the unhealthy approach and stand taken up by the majority people in Imphal thus poses a mountainous question on the making of a hue and cry against women discriminations in Manipur by the Meira Paibis and others on the forefront. This is but the biggest insult to womanhood, a crime of crime, and injustice of injustice.

To mention evidences, witnesses and differences between the two, does the Meitei society in Imphal and surrounding valleys ever doubt that Manorama was rape by the Indian Jawans? How many have actually seen or heard her cry for help when she was molested, tortured and raped? Her dad, mom, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, neighbours? Who? And the verdict given unanimously by those (including myself) who have not seen or heard her sufferings was one - that the Indian Jawans raped her! Nothing more, nothing less. Just that single conviction. Then what about now on the mass rape of more than 21 Hmar women?

Lets compare our convictions on the insult and discrimination against womanhood between the two. In the case of the Hmar women who were fortunately not killed, the witnesses are the victims themselves, their mothers and fathers, their neighbours and fellow villagers, their rapists and God if there is. The challenging stands that the Meitei civil societies and the medias in Imphal valley continuously make till today in their mouthpieces is shamefully a double injustice done to the rape victims and the Hmar people.

And then the most important of all, have we ever put ourselves in the shoes of these ill-fated rape victims? Do we understand the shame and humiliation they might have faced for coming of their now small closets? Cannot we understand the trauma they may have to go through bearing and carrying their painful experiences in the hands of those modern barbarians? What about their outlook in the society? Whether they want it or not, they need to live through it till the end of their days.

No, we never give a chance to our righteous thoughts. Our thoughts and reasoning are filled with evil, and it is a pity we never realized that. We are instead busy empathising with the rapists and their affiliated outlawed groups. No, we need to give them more of our valued spaces of understanding. Give them back their lost dignity. Give them a chance to live normally like us. Lets keep our prejudice thinking for ourselves only and not for them. Lets not be bigots.

And this is not to mention the equally serious crimes of torture, forced displacement and landmine issues too. And yes the forced displacement; can this not be part of a larger game plan of the involved so-called armed Meitei revolutionary organisations going haywire? What were these groups doing in the Tipaimukh areas at the first place? What may be their interests?

Cannot the people of this region decide their own future course of action? What are these rebel groups who are fighting India doing in the lands of the Hmars anyway? What rights have they to come over leaving their valleys? They should fight their battles and wars in their areas of domicile, in the Imphal and Bishenpur valleys. This is an illegal infiltration of the hills of Manipur. A whitepaper of whitepaper of whitepaper of the involved insurgent groups is what that is called for!


Elf Hmar writes regularly to e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on April 20th, 2006

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025