TSL comes out strongly against assault of 4 girls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2023: Outrightly rejecting COCOMI's apology over the May 24 assault on four women at Kwakeithel, the Tangkhul Shanao Long has categorically stated that "confusion" regarding identity shouldn't be used as an excuse to assault others.

COCOMI's apology that there was confusion in the identity as if it is alright to attack other lives and people, is strongly condemned.

This attack on any identity and ethnic group should be stopped, the Tangkhul women's association said in a statement it released to the media yesterday.

The four Tangkhul women were assaulted by a mob on their way to the airport to travel to Mumbai.

As their vehicle stopped due to traffic congestion, a mob consisting of both men and women came and attacked them with "iron bars." They were dragged down from the vehicle by their hair, their clothes including their undergarments were ripped, it said.

To save themselves, the girls shouted they were Tangkhuls, but the mob responded with domineering words.

Their belongings were checked, strewn and their bags were ripped apart.

They were then taken to a secluded place and released after traumatizing them physically and mentally.

After such harrowing experience they were stopped again by armed persons and threatened by "loading and unloading their guns" and let go only when they pleaded they were from Ukhrul.

The women are being treated at Health Care Diagnostic Centre, Mumbai, said the women's body.

TSL is appalled by the incident at such an unprecedented time where the women are "active actors and agents of violence even abetting their men to commit heinous crime and acts of violating women".

It is shocking that the streets are still ruled by mobs and tribals are "unsafe" in Imphal city even in broad daylight, it said.

Comment