New Delhi— Months after the violence in Manipur broke out between the meity and Kuki community, a video which surfaced on social media, which showed a tribal women being paraded naked and groped by a group of men has served as the reminder to the gravity of the situation in the north-eastern state. Although, at least five accused related to the incident have been arrested. The protestors across India demanded the dismissal of the Chief Minister and Prime Minister.
A large number of people came out in Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the people from Northeastern community were joined by people from all states of the country to condemn the violence in Manipur in general and the incident of stripping of women in particular. Student community from JNU, DU, Jamia was present along with members of civil society and media. One student from the Kuki community said “ our forefathers fought for the country and see what is happening with their daughters. I am deeply anguished.”
In Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, several women organisation and civil society members organised a protest in kaiserbagh area, they were stopped by police at Parivartan chowk, when they tried to advance towards Shahid Smarak. Nevertheless, the protestors continued to raise slogans against the government. Several politicians and civil society members were present on the occasion.
Speaking to TheMooknayak Social Activist Deepak Kabir said “ people from all walks of life protest participated in the protest. The people are very agitated by the incidents in Manipur. He said the situation in Manipur was being ignored by the people. He said that PM travelled in around 10 countries of the world and changed the dress about 1000 times, but did not take name of Manipur. Women in the country are feeling insecure and they are demanding the resignation of the Home Minister and also the CM should be sacked. He added that the prime minister Narendra Modi should also resign as he is also accountable.
Samajwadi Party leader Vandana Mishra, who was present on the occasion said “We demand the resignation of the Home Minister and that the State government should be dismissed and strictest punishment for the accused seen in the video".
She added that issue of Manipur is bringing shame to the country at the global level and the European Union has also raised the issue and so has the US Ambassador to India. Although one would say that they should not interfere in our internal matter, but when things like this happen then people from all over the world get agitated and given their reaction and we cannot hide it.
The protest today was against the policy of the BJP government to supress the minority and agenda of imposing Hindu Rashtra. In other states it is the muslims, in Manipur it is Kuki community, which is Christians. She alleged that the rioters from the meity community are picking up arms from the police, which is predominantly meity community and this also needs to be investigated.
Targetting the Prime Minister, she said that the Prime Minister has spoken after 80 days, why did he not take stern action beforehand? why did he not sack the Home Minister? The people who speak about Beti Bachao they are insulting the daughters, we protested to raise these issues.
Madhu Garg, Who runs an organisation called the Mahila Samiti said “Who ever has seen the video ( of violence against women ) is disturbed. We are so anxious that we cannot sit at home. Comparing the Prime Minister to “Nero” she said that like Nero was playing flute when Rome was burning similarly when Manipur was burning, PM was in France."
A silent candle march was held at Board office Chauraha in Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh. The protesters carried placards demanding the resignation of Chief Minister and the Home Minister.
A Total of five arrests have been made in the case including the prime accused Huirem Herodas Meitei was also arrested. The parents of the victims have expressed deep anguish over the incident and are smitten by trauma even after more than two months of the incident. The mother of one of the victims told a news channel that her daughter was taken away and her husband and her son were killed when they tried to save the girl from the mob.
Husband of one of the victims said that he had served in the Assam Rifles and fought in the Kargil war and was also a part of Indian Peace keeping Force in Srilanka, but could not save my wife from being humiliated that day.
As the country tries to come to grips with the shocking videos of the helpless girls, more details have started emerging. According to a section of media two more girls, who were working in a car wash wereraped and killed around that period. The Mooknayak cannot confirm the veracity of the aforementioned incident.
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