A disturbing video is circulating on social media, showing a mob of men believed to be from the Meitei community in Manipur, parading two Kuki-Zo women. The footage shows the women in visible distress, crying for help, as they are dragged and molested by the captors.
According to the police, this incident took place in Kangpokpi district on May 4th, just one day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state. The video surfaced approximately 77 days after the actual incident occurred.
According to the complaint filed, a horrifying incident took place on May 4th when around 800-1,000 men associated with various Meitei organizations arrived at B Phainom village, predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community. These men were reportedly armed and allegedly set fire to houses in the village.
During the chaos that ensued, five villagers, including two men and three women, managed to escape and sought refuge in a nearby forest. Fortunately, they were later rescued by a police team from the Nongpok Sekmai police station.
However, on their way back to the police station, a mob intercepted them near Toubul, approximately 2 km away from the station. The mob apprehended the three women and subjected them to a horrific ordeal, forcing them to strip naked and parading them in public.
Tragically, a 21-year-old woman was subjected to a brutal gang-rape, and her 56-year-old father was killed on the spot. Furthermore, her 19-year-old brother, who tried to protect her, was also murdered by the violent mob, as claimed in the complaint. This incident has caused shock and outrage, shedding light on the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for justice.
In his first statement addressing the Manipur violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep concern, calling the incident depicted in the video “shameful for any decent society.” He conveyed his heartfelt pain and anger over the distressing events.
Assuring strong action, the Prime Minister asserted that no rapists involved in the incident will escape justice. He also emphasized the need to rise above political differences and unite in safeguarding the rights and safety of women.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, particularly Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressed extreme distress upon viewing the video that has emerged. The Court urged the government to take prompt and decisive action in response to the grave situation.
Since May 3, the northeastern state has been engulfed in ethnic clashes, mainly between two groups: the tribal Kukis, who predominantly reside in the hill districts, and the majority Meiteis, who are the dominant community in the Imphal Valley. These clashes have resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 150 people, and over 50,000 individuals have been forced to leave their homes, becoming internally displaced.
The initial outbreak of clashes occurred in Churachandpur town on May 3rd when Kuki groups initiated protests against a proposed change to the state’s reservation matrix. The proposed modification aimed to grant scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community, which triggered tensions and conflicts between the two ethnic groups.
