Imphal folks join hands to condemn Churachandpur gangrape case
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2023: The gangrape of a 37 year-old Meitei woman by Kuki militants at Churachandpur on May 3 was protested at multiple locations across the valley districts today under the aegis of Meira Paibis and several women's organisations.

Responding to the call of the Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur and the All Manipur Women Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), protest demonstrations were staged extensively at different localities of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts.

Imphal folks join hands to condemn Churachandpur gangrape case

At Imphal West, Meira Paibis of Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai staged a sit-in along the Sega Road stretch today condemning the gang-rape incident on the day the ethnic clash erupted at Torbung when armed Kukis from Churachandpur started flushing Meiteis out from the town and burning down houses from the afternoon following a rally.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, secretary of the local Meira Paibi association Soraisam Ashalata said the womenfolk strongly condemn the gang-rape incident on May 3 in Churachandpur.

The bestial act of Kuki narco-terrorists by surrounding and raping a helpless Meitei woman amidst the chaos they created by torching down Meitei houses in Churachandpur, is condemnable in the strongest terms, she said.

The State and the Central Government should institute a high level probe to investigate the unforgivable crime committed by the narco-terrorists and ensure the strongest form of punishment, she said.

The Prime Minister, on seeing the viral video of two Kuki women being paraded nakedly by a mob on May 4, had issued a strong statement and called for justice.

Likewise, he should take notice of the gang-rape case of May 3 which is a much more serious case, she said.

Considering the seriousness of the sexual crimes on Meitei women which are starting to slowly resurface, the Prime Minister should also issue a statement like he did wholeheartedly when the heart wrenching video went viral, she said.

Chief Minister N Biren and State BJP president A Sharda who also championed justice for the two Kuki women should also come out and make their stand clear on this, she said while demanding a CBI probe into the matter.

Ashalata also denounced the atrocities of Assam Rifles towards Meiteis and demanded immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.

The free hand given by Assam Rifles has emboldened Kukis and facilitated violence on Meiteis and even rapes, she charged.

Condemning the atrocities, she demanded Kuki narco-terrorists be stamped out from the soil of Manipur, call for separate administration be rubbished and NRC be implemented to separate the infiltrators from the bonafide citizens.

Massive protest condemning the gangrape case in the strongest terms were staged at Yaiskul, Moirang-khom, Yumnam Leikai, Singjamei, Kakwa, Can-chipur, Lilong Chajing, Keishampat, Keishamthong, Takhel Leikai, Kwakeithel, Changangei, Malom, Ko-dompokpi, Heirangoi-thong, Mongsangei, Langthabal, Hiyangthang, Irom Meijrao and Mekola.

They put up placards which read as "We condemn Churachandpur gangrape by Kuki militants'', "Punish all the culprits", "Withdraw Assam Rifles from Mani-pur'', "Root out Kuki narco-terrorists'', "Implement NRC in Manipur", "Long live Manipur" etc.

Similar protest demonstrations were also witnessed at Wahengbam Leikai, Sagolband, Tera, Patsoi, Konthoujam, Sagoltongba, Khumbong, Uripok, Nao-remthong, Iroisemba, Lam- deng, Lamsang, Mayang Langjing, Salam, Tharoijam, Thangmeiband, Khoyathong and Sanakeithel.

The gangrape was also protested at Khonghampat, Tengdongyang, Sekmai, Khurkhul, Kanto Sabal, Senjam Chirang, Koutruk, Samurou, Wangoi, Mayang Imphal, Sekmaijin and Laphupat Tera.

In Imphal East district, protest demonstrations were staged at multiple locations between Khurai Lamlong Bazar and Yaingangpokpi along Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Vehemently condemning the gangrape, protest demonstrations were staged at Khurai, Tezpur, Sawom-bung, Lamlai, Napet Palli, Nongada, Seijang, Shabung-khok and Yaingangpokpi etc.

The protesters shouted slogans demanding justice for the victim of the gangrape case by way of awarding exemplary punishment to all the rapists.

"Integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable", "Hand over the Churachandpur gangrape case to CBI" etc were some other slogans raised by the protesters.

Similar protest demonstrations were also staged at Nongmeibung, Soibam Leikai, Checkon, Porompat, Ayangpalli etc.

Holding placards which read as "We condemn violence against women", "Justice of Meitei woman gangraped by Kuki militants", "Withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur", "Resolve Manipur crisis at the earliest", "Prime Minister should not be partial but see that all the perpetrators of the Churachandpur gangrape are awarded befitting punishment", "Hand over Churachandpur gangrape case to CBI", "We would not tolerate selective application of law" etc, Meira Paibis of Kongpal Kshetri Leikai, Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Kongpal Khaidem Leikai and Kongpal Naoroibam Leikai staged a massive protest at Kongpal Iranpham Thongkhong.

One woman protester pointed out that all the people involved in the abominable crime of parading two Kuki women naked have been arrested and the case has been handed over to the CBI.

The Government ought to take serious note of the Churachandpur gangrape case where one Meitei woman was raped by five/six Kuki militants.

The Government ought to take up befitting action against all the culprits of the gangrape case in an impartial manner and hand over the case to the CBI, she said.

Protest demonstrations were also staged at Top Khongnangkhong, Kongba, Bamon Kampu, Irilbung, Keirao, Wangkhem, Pangei, Khundrakpam, Yumnam Huidrom, Sagolmang, Top Chingtha, Yairipok, Poiroukhongjil, Andro, Kyamgei, Khongman, Chingmeirong, Sangakpham, Khabam Lamkhai, Koirengei, Mongjam, Maiba Khul and Heingang.