Tribal bodies, Ukhrul rally condemn May 4 incident
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati:, July 21 2023:
United Naga Council (UNC), All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students' Associa tion Manipur (ANSAM) and Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR) strongly condemned the inhumane and sexual violence committed against two women in the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
Strongly condemning the incident that happened on May 4 at B Phainom village, UNC said the beastly act of sexually assaulting right under the nose of law enforcing agency and unleashing a reign of terror has shattered the basic principles of democracy.
Horrifying act and humiliation has replaced the beauty of womanhood, the UNC said adding that government must initiate necessary steps for immediate booking of all the people involved in the crime and ensure a trial in the fast-track court to deliver justice instantly.
The ATSUM also condemned the cruel act meted out to the two tribal ladies and said that it was very disgusting to learn that such heinous crime committed in broad daylight was kept in the dark for the past almost three months.
The Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR), the apex body of the Liangmai Naga Women's Union, Manipur also strongly condemned the atrocities and violence committed against women in the ongoing conflict in Manipur and appealed to both the warring communities to bring an end to the present violence and conflict, and come together for a peaceful dialogue to bring about an amicable solution.
Condoning the May 4 incident, All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) said that such obnoxious act has no place in the present society and should be condemned by every right-thinking citizen.
While denouncing the barbaric act, the ANSAM urged authority concerned to take necessary action and book all the perpetrators at the earliest and award befitting punishment.
Ukhrul: Over a thousand women folks of Ukhrul town took to the streets on Friday to protest against the barbaric act of parading two Vaiphei 'sisters' naked and subsequently gang-raping them.
The video of the horrific incident which happened on May 4 had gone viral recently, sparking massive outrage among the citizens of the state and the global community at large.
The protest march was attended by over a thousand of women from Ukhrul town and its adjoining areas, all of whom were holding banners and placards inscribed with 'We condemn dehumanising act of parading naked of two Vaiphei women on May 4, 2023,' 'Women's safety, our priority,' 'Respect our mothers, sisters, daughters,' etc., demanding justice for the two traumatised sisters.
The participants shouted slogans, highlighting the need for a secure environment for women in the society.
The slogans read Justice for the victims, ' 'We condemn the barbaric act,' 'Arrest the culprits, end violence,' 'Hold the police accountable,' etc.
Speaking to media persons during the protest rally, a woman leader Agnes Shaiza informed that the protest rally was organised by the Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) under the aegis of the Naga Women Union (NWU) .
"We have seen so many communal riots in many countries and places.
But in this modern civilised world, people understand the importance of human rights and accordingly it is maintained," she said.
She contended that what happened in Manipur, is something that all have detested.
"We strongly condemn the violation of human rights, including robbing the modesty of the women folks, irrespective of community to which one belongs," she said.
Shaiza decried the pattern of crimes committed under the garb of 'mistaken identity', referring to the recent murder of an elderly Maring woman Lucy Marem.
"You killed someone else and say it is a mistaken identity," she pointed out.
"How can we accept this kind of excuses? This is totally wrong and against rational thinking.
We ask the authorities concerned to look into the matter and take immediate action against all culprits," she pleaded.
"We strongly condemn the violation of human rights, including robbing the modesty of the women folks, irrespective of community to which one belongs," she said.
Shaiza decried the pattern of crimes committed under the garb of 'mistaken identity', referring to the recent murder of an elderly Maring woman Lucy Marem.
"You killed someone else and say it is a mistaken identity," she pointed out.
"How can we accept this kind of excuses? This is totally wrong and against rational thinking.
We ask the authorities concerned to look into the matter and take immediate action against all culprits," she pleaded.