KWOHR organizes massive rally
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 21 2023: Thousands of women across Kangpokpi district participated in a massive rally and sit-in-protest organized by the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR) today at Kangpokpi district headquarters.

The massive rally and sit-in-protest were organized against the alleged gross human rights violation of the Kuki-Zo women and children.

The women protesters held a rally along the National Highway-2 from Brig M Thomas Ground and proceeded toward Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi's office where leaders of the KWOHR handed over a memorandum for the Prime Minister to the DC Kangpokpi.

After handing over the memorandum, the protesters returned to Brig M Thomas ground and held a sit-in-protest till 4 pm.

KWOHR organizes massive rally

During the sit-in-protest, a mother from Kangpokpi, Hatnu Kipgen donated her gold rings to help the Kuki-Zo 'raped' women and encouraged the mammoth womenfolk to come forward to help them as well, wherein, the womenfolk contributed more than Rs one lakh to show solidarity towards the Kuki-Zo victim women.

Hahat Touthang, president of KWOHR said that after the Nirbhaya rape case, the Supreme Court in 2013 defined rape committed during communal or sectarian violence as "Aggravated forms of Rape" and the culprits shall be awarded capital punishment.

Neinou, general secretary of KWOHR while strongly condemning the recent shocking viral video sought the immediate intervention of the Central Government.

She continued that Manipur is in a dire situation with the State Government inept at handling the situation.

She continued "The recent video of Kuki-Zo women disrobed and paraded naked is evidence of how unsafe we are in Manipur" .

She claimed that on the same day, a 22-year-old nursing student was harassed and assaulted by a Meitei mob of about 40 people and so far, over 6 rape cases have been reported, but many victims are either silenced or too afraid to speak up.

She then said that sadly no action whatsoever has been taken up in connection with the complaints filed on 12 June with the National Commission for Women (NCW) .

"Therefore, we demand mainly three things- firstly, the establishment of a special investigation team to be monitored by the Supreme Court to bring swift justice to all those involved in the atrocities since May 3", Neinou said.

Secondly, deployment of army personnel in the buffer zones.

"Thirdly, given that we live in a very vulnerable State, we seek the Prime Minister's support in establishing a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribes under the provisions mentioned in the Constitution of India", she added.

The protesters during the sit-in-protest and rally shouted slogans, "We want justice", "We want separate administration", "Biren Singh down down", "Leisemba Sanajaoba down down", "Arambai Tenggol down down", "Meitei Leepun down down", "Meira Paibi down down", "We Will Win", etc.