The incident in Manipur, involving the brutal assault and alleged gang rape of two women from the Kuki tribe, has sparked outrage and condemnation across India. Despite the incident taking place in early May and being reported to the police, arrests were only made after the video of the attack went viral.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been silent on the matter for months, finally broke his silence and expressed his concern, stating that the entire country feels ashamed by the heinous act against the women, The Guardian reported on July 20. The incident has brought attention to the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki tribes, raising concerns about the safety and security of minority communities in the region.
“I want to assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Action will be taken according to the law. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. As I stand next to this temple of democracy, my heart is filled with pain and anger,” he said.
As of the early days of May, the state of Manipur in India has been gripped by a deadly ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki tribes. The situation has resulted in tragic consequences, with more than 140 people, mostly from the minority Kuki community, losing their lives. The state has become divided along ethnic lines, with the Meitei community inhabiting the valley and the Kuki community controlling the hills. Both sides have assembled civilian forces armed with thousands of stolen weapons, leading to violent clashes and the burning of villages. Over 60,000 people have been displaced, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In the midst of this chaos, a video emerged showing the horrific incident of two Kuki women being forcibly stripped naked, paraded, and allegedly gang-raped by a Meitei mob. The video caused widespread outrage across India and drew fierce criticism from the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Dhananjaya Chandrachud expressed his disapproval of the government's handling of the situation and urged prompt action to address the crisis. Other ministers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, including Smriti Irani, the Minister for Women, condemned the incident and promised to ensure justice for the victims.
However, activists raised their voices in protest, pointing out that it took such a disturbing video to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Golan Nulak, a Kuki activist, expressed disappointment that it required such shocking visuals to elicit global outrage and attention.
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