"Govt can't ignore suffering of Meetei women"
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 21 2023:
While condemning the act of parading naked two women- by a mob in the formative days of the ethnic violence that began from May 3, Keirao MLA L Rameshwar said that the government should not take up cases selectively and ignore the cruelty meted out against Meetei women by Kukis.
Speaking in a mega protest held at Keirao Pal Ahanbi denouncing the incident of naked parade and participated by large number of
women and youth of Keirao assembly constituency, MLA Rameshwar clarified that he was participating in the demonstration as a public representative to raise his voice against such atrocities.
Noting that police have already arrested four of the perpetrators as soon as the video went viral and the government had assured to award befitting punishment, he stressed that the government should not ignore the fact that people of both sides suffered horrific ordeals during the violence.
For instance, 80-year-old Sorokhaibam Ibetombi of Se-rou was burned alive.
There are reports of Kuki militants raping several Meetei women in Churachandpur for which evidences are being collected, he said while asking the government to give same treatment to both communities.
He said that Meetei community bears the characteristic to admit candidly the wrongs committed and never justifies heinous crimes.
It was the Meetei people, who rounded up the persons responsible for killing Lucy Marem and handed them over to police, and burned house of the prime accused.
Similarly, the government should also investigate incidents of killing innocent Meetei women and arrest the perpetrators, he demanded.
Keirao people will continue to fight Kuki narco-terrorists, drug cartels and illegal immigrants in order to defend the territory of Manipur safeguarded by the forefathers.
However, it is unfortunate for the 40 MLAs from valley failing to find a common ground to lead the fight while leaving aside their political differences, he said.
The MLA also expressed concern over the trend of public doing whatever they want in the absence of a common leader.