SHILLONG, July 21: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women has condemned the horrific incident in Manipur on May 4 where two tribal women were stripped, groped and made to walk down a road by a frenzied mob.
“We are thankful that the National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court have taken cognizance of this shameful act. The Chief Justice of India has rightly stated that using women as instrument to inflict gender violence is deeply, deeply disturbing. We urge the Centre and the state government to take immediate action against those involved in this horrific act of human depravity that threatens the dignity and safety of every woman and child of the nation. Any act of violence committed to outrage any woman’s modesty is not acceptable in a constitutional democracy,” it stated.
The Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (a coordination body of women’s organisations based in Shillong) viewed with deep concern the shameful act of violence perpetrated against women. “It is really a great shock and unacceptable in our present civilized society. We condemn these acts of violence. Therefore we appeal to the concern authorities at the state and national level to take strong action and punish the perpetrators of the crime,” it said in a statement.
The Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) also expressed grief that innocent women belonging to Kuki-Zo community were forced to strip and paraded naked by the mob in Manipur in broad daylight.
“Such an extreme level of crime and inhumane act perpetrated by the mob is a major crime against humanity and is absolutely shocking and condemnable. We strongly condemn the abominable act by the mob and we demand justice for the victims immediately. Justice undone is injustice done as it eventually promotes injustice,” PCI said in a statement.
The Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Church of India (PWF PCI) also expressed anguish and grief over the ongoing situation in Manipur.
“We are affected by the torturous act of inhumane violence committed by a mob against two women who were forced to strip and paraded naked in broad daylight at Kangpokpi district of Manipur. This heinous act was kept confidential till it went viral on social media recently, two months after its occurrence,” they said.
“We demand the state and central government to step up to their inherent roles in protecting its citizens and to take appropriate actions against all the perpetrators at the earliest. We demand that all the relief camps set up to help the victims in Manipur be supplied adequately with the basic and proper essentials afforded as per their rights as citizens of this country,” they added.
The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum also condemned the ghastly crime against women in Manipur.
“Against the backdrop of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Manipur with no end in sight, it is a disgrace to see that the perpetrators of the ghastly crime against women have stooped so low and degraded themselves to display that they have gone beyond all the codes of the civilized world with their barbaric acts – sexual assault on two hapless women who were paraded naked before a frenzied mob,” KJCLF said.
“We call on the Meira Paibis of Manipur to stand true to your commitment in protecting, promoting and upholding the respect and dignity of women in society. With great dismay it is noted that Chief Minister Biren Singh has acknowledged that there are hundreds of such cases that have of late happened in Manipur. The Prime Minister while expressing pain and anger has stated on Thursday that such crimes bring shame to the whole country. Indeed the PM’s assurance is heard loud and clear that the guilty persons will not be spared and it is expected that this commitment of the PM will happen indeed and soon,” the forum said.
The Mothers’ Union in Tura has announced a mass prayer cum meeting to be held on Saturday.
“The mass prayer cum meeting is being held to condemn the recent viral incident as well as to pray for the affected victims of the violence. The prayer meeting will take place at Chandmari playground in Tura at 3 pm,” the union said in a statement.
The UDP also condemned the barbaric act perpetrated on the women folks and demanded stern action against the barbarians.
The party urged the people of Manipur to exercise restraint and make effort to normalise the situation.
UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh said, “Violence begets violence and there is no end if conflict is allowed to continue. Peace and reconciliation will come only if the citizens of Manipur themselves resolve to respect each other’s rights. The Northeastern region cannot afford this kind of conflict to continue.”
