Rally, sit-ins protest sexual assault, condemnations continue
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 22 2023: Senapati District Women Association (SDWA) under the aegis of the Naga Women's Union (NWU) organised sit in - demonstration cum rally at Senapati bazar on Saturday against the sexual assault of two innocent women by a mob on May 4 .

Addressing the gathering, NWU president Asha Wun-gnam stated that everyone in the world had witnessed the assault and harassment meted out to two Kuki-Zo women.

The women community strongly condemns atrocities committed against women as a tool during the violence, she said and urged all to consider that there is one's mother, sisters and wife and respect them.

Around 3,000 women of Senapati district took part in the demonstration cum rally, which started from Senapati bazar traffic point marched till the Old Toll Gate.

A mass prayer was also held at the protest venue led by senior pastor K Matia for peace and to let truth reign the land.

Placards written 'Justice delayed, justice denied', 'Inhuman acts be condemned', 'Women are living entity, not commodity', 'We condemn the barbaric act', 'Justice for victims', 'Respect women who gave you birth', 'Stop violence against women , etc." were held by protestors.

Meanwhile similar protest demonstration was also held in Tamenglong district on Saturday.

On the other hand, Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) strongly condemned the barbaric act committed to tribal women on May 4 .

In a condemnation note, AMTDGF president Hesho Lorho stated that the act was one of the rarest of heinous crime committed in a civilized society and perpetrators of the crime should not be spared.

State government should be held accountable for the crime, Hesho Lorho said and condemned inaction of the chief minister and concern police station.

Chief minister N Biren Singh, who holds the home portfolios, must tender his resignation on moral ground, the AMTDGF president added.

In denunciation of parad ing the two women naked by an unruly mob, a sit-in protest organised by Coordinating Committee Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai was staged on Saturday during which the gathering also condemned the alleged one-sided statement of PM Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the sit-in held at Ireima Seva Associa tion complex at Kwakeithel, Laishram Leikai, Committee advisor Soubam Sobita said that the 'naked parading' incident is something which all should condemn.

Moreover, it is lamentable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the viral video only while undermining the core problem in the state and the distressful condition being endured by the people.

She further informed that the ethnic violence has led to loss of several lives, destroyed many properties and have displaced thousands of people.

PM Narendra Modi Who had turned a deaf ear to grievances of the people of Manipur for around three months finally woke up only after the viral video surfaced.

However, the Prime Minister seems to have yet again ignored the crimes being committed to women in Churachandpur during the initial days of the violence.

Soubam Sobita opined that unwanted incidents would not have happened had PM Modi and chief minister Biren taken up measures to control the violence in time.

Students of Government Dance College, Music College and JN Manipur Dance Academy also staged demonstration in front of the College at Palace Compound to express resentment over PM Modi's protracted silence on the Manipur issue while speaking up only after the video of naked parade surfaced.

While condemning the atrocities committed that the two women, one Saknaibi Potshangbam contended that PM Modi breaking his eerie silence only after the video went viral is an attempt to divert the core issue.

If the Prime Minister sincerely respects women then he should have reacted at the first place when women of Manipur went to Delhi and staged protest agitations, she reasoned.

Meanwhile, many continue to condemn the outrageous act of parading naked two women by a mob, the video of which has gone viral on the social media.

In separate releases.

Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, Manipur Catholic Women Organisation, Adhi-vakta Parishad Manipur, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union, Rongmei Phwam Delhi (RPD/Rongmei Council Delhi NCR), Rongmei Cham-nac Phwam Delhi (RCPD/ Rongmei Students' Organization Delhi), Rongmei Naga Luh Phwam, Manipur, and Indigenous Peace Committee Keinou, Bungte & Adjoining areas strongly condemned the inhumane and barbaric treatment towards the two helpless women.

The viral video has done irreparable damage to Manipur, they maintained, while urging the government to book the culprits and deliver justice to the women whose dignity and life have been violated.

The existence of such depraved minds is a blot in the society and leaves the worn en vulnerable and no stones should be left unturned to ensure justice is delivered.

While expressing concern over increasing cases of violence against women during ethnic tensions, they urged the government to institute prompt and impartial investigation into all cases of violence against women recorded and prosecute all those involved in perpetuating the violence against indigenous women in Manipur, including its security forces, who are duty-bound to protect women and all the people of Manipur.

They added that the central government should be held accountable for failing to contain the violence that has been continuing for almost three months.

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