TRIGGER WARNING: Description of sexual violence
MILESTONE
August 7: Manipur Police suspended five police personnel including the station incharge of the area where the incident of two women being stripped and paraded by a mob had taken place.
Update: July 30
The two women have approached the Supreme Court and filed a writ petition imploring the judges for a fair and impartial investigation into the case.
Update: July 28
After the Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance of the case and gave the Centre a week's time to take action, the government of India has transferred the case to the Central Bureau of investigation.
Update: July 25
Three accused have been arrested over the past three days taking up the number of persons arrested in the case to seven.
Update: July 21
77 days after the incident, four accused from a mob of 900 persons were arrested late last evening by the Manipur police. Further, it has been reported that the National Commission of Women received a complaint with regards to the incident on June 12, but did not take any action. [5]
A horrifying video showing two Kuki tribal women in the north-eastern state of Manipur being stripped, paraded and dragged into a nearby field by men belonging to the majority Meitei community to be raped has been circulating on social media. [1] The incident allegedly took place on May 4, a day after violence erupted between the two ethnic groups – the Meiteis and the Kukis.
Over 60 days have passed but the perpetrators, except one, roam scot-free. On May 18, a zero FIR was filed against unknown persons in the matter but no arrests were made until July 20, 60 days after the filing of the FIR.
Such acts of violence are a grave violation of women's fundamental rights and perpetuate the toxic ideology that views women’s bodies as battlegrounds and collateral in conflict-ridden regions.
The incident depicted in the video is not merely an isolated act of harassment; it is a manifestation of the deeply ingrained gender-based violence and discrimination that plague our society, particularly affecting women from marginalized communities. It is a stark reminder that women continue to face unspeakable atrocities and vulnerabilities, especially during times of conflict and unrest. Since May 4, 2023, multiple such reports of women and children being manhandled and attacked have emerged from the region. [2] [3] [4]
We demand immediate action from the state government and the Supreme Court of India regarding the sexual harassment and intimidation of the tribal women in Manipur. The following actions must be taken promptly:
1. The police must initiate an FIR against all the men identified in the video for their involvement in the incident. A thorough investigation into the matter should be conducted to ensure that no guilty party goes unpunished.
2. The investigation should be conducted promptly and efficiently.
3. Ensure the safety and well-being of the survivors through protective measures that prevent any further harm to them.
4. Ensure transparency in the legal proceedings to ensure public confidence in the fairness of the trial and the dispensation of justice.
5. Dismissal of police officials who failed to take action in the matter.
6. Since the two women have approached the Supreme Court and filed a writ petition imploring the judges for a fair and impartial investigation into the case, they have also demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The importance of immediate action in this matter cannot be overstated. Failure to take decisive steps will only embolden such perpetrators and undermine the trust of citizens in the law enforcement system.
We must stand united in our demand for justice and the safeguarding of the rights and dignity of women in Manipur. Sign the petition!
References
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/world/asia/india-manipur-video-woman.html
TRIGGER WARNING: Description of sexual violence
MILESTONE
August 7: Manipur Police suspended five police personnel including the station incharge of the area where the incident of two women being stripped and paraded by a mob had taken place.
Update: July 30
The two women have approached the Supreme Court and filed a writ petition imploring the judges for a fair and impartial investigation into the case.
Update: July 28
After the Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance of the case and gave the Centre a week's time to take action, the government of India has transferred the case to the Central Bureau of investigation.
Update: July 25
Three accused have been arrested over the past three days taking up the number of persons arrested in the case to seven.
Update: July 21
77 days after the incident, four accused from a mob of 900 persons were arrested late last evening by the Manipur police. Further, it has been reported that the National Commission of Women received a complaint with regards to the incident on June 12, but did not take any action. [5]
A horrifying video showing two Kuki tribal women in the north-eastern state of Manipur being stripped, paraded and dragged into a nearby field by men belonging to the majority Meitei community to be raped has been circulating on social media. [1] The incident allegedly took place on May 4, a day after violence erupted between the two ethnic groups – the Meiteis and the Kukis.
Over 60 days have passed but the perpetrators, except one, roam scot-free. On May 18, a zero FIR was filed against unknown persons in the matter but no arrests were made until July 20, 60 days after the filing of the FIR.
Such acts of violence are a grave violation of women's fundamental rights and perpetuate the toxic ideology that views women’s bodies as battlegrounds and collateral in conflict-ridden regions.
The incident depicted in the video is not merely an isolated act of harassment; it is a manifestation of the deeply ingrained gender-based violence and discrimination that plague our society, particularly affecting women from marginalized communities. It is a stark reminder that women continue to face unspeakable atrocities and vulnerabilities, especially during times of conflict and unrest. Since May 4, 2023, multiple such reports of women and children being manhandled and attacked have emerged from the region. [2] [3] [4]
We demand immediate action from the state government and the Supreme Court of India regarding the sexual harassment and intimidation of the tribal women in Manipur. The following actions must be taken promptly:
1. The police must initiate an FIR against all the men identified in the video for their involvement in the incident. A thorough investigation into the matter should be conducted to ensure that no guilty party goes unpunished.
2. The investigation should be conducted promptly and efficiently.
3. Ensure the safety and well-being of the survivors through protective measures that prevent any further harm to them.
4. Ensure transparency in the legal proceedings to ensure public confidence in the fairness of the trial and the dispensation of justice.
5. Dismissal of police officials who failed to take action in the matter.
6. Since the two women have approached the Supreme Court and filed a writ petition imploring the judges for a fair and impartial investigation into the case, they have also demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The importance of immediate action in this matter cannot be overstated. Failure to take decisive steps will only embolden such perpetrators and undermine the trust of citizens in the law enforcement system.
We must stand united in our demand for justice and the safeguarding of the rights and dignity of women in Manipur. Sign the petition!
References
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/world/asia/india-manipur-video-woman.html