Northeast Christians condemn parading women naked in Manipur

By Matters India Reporter

Guwahati, July 21, 2023: The United Christian Forum of North East India has expressed its disgust, pain, and condemnation at what it says was a horrifying incident that occurred in Manipur state.

“A video recently surfaced on social media showing two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob that has been confirmed by the media and FIR of the incident that took place on the said date, just a day after the ongoing clashes in Manipur began,” says a July 20 statement of the ecumenical forum.

Although, the women were paraded naked May 4 at B Phainom, a village in Kangpokpi district, the incident came to light only on July 19.

The incident, the forum says, is nothing short of barbaric and inhumane. The forum and Christians of northeastern India “stand in solidarity with the victims and their families during this traumatic time. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and prayers for their healing and recovery,” says the statement issued by forum spokesperson Allen Brooks.

The forum demanded “an immediate and thorough investigation into this heinous crime. The perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations or background, must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. We call upon the law enforcement agencies to expedite the process of verification of every individual shown in the video and ensure that the full force of the law is applied in their prosecution.”

The Christian body also appealed to all individuals and media outlets to refrain from circulating the video further. “Sharing or disseminating such distressing content only serves to perpetuate the humiliation and suffering of the victims. It is crucial to respect their dignity and protect their identities during this difficult time, while appealing to our Church Partners to reach out to them,” it added.

The forum has urged the federal and Manipur governments, along with statutory bodies such as the National Commission for Women, to take immediate cognizance of the “appalling crime and take all necessary measures to ensure justice is served swiftly and fairly. We expect nothing less than the strictest punishment for those responsible for this heinous act.”

The forum termed as “disheartening to witness such violence and hostility between communities in Manipur. As a nation that prides itself on its diversity and cultural heritage, we must strive for peaceful coexistence and understanding among all communities. We call upon the concerned authorities to address the underlying issues and work towards fostering harmony and unity in the region.”

It offered prayers and support to families affected by the ongoing clashes in Manipur. “We appeal to all parties involved to exercise restraint, engage in peaceful dialogue, and find an amicable resolution to the conflict.”

The form said it would continue to advocate for justice, peace, and the protection of human rights for all citizens. “We call upon the government and civil society to join hands in creating a safe and secure environment for every individual in the region,” it added.

Meanwhile a First Information Report on the incident says an armed mob killed people and torched houses before parading women naked.

The mob also killed one person as he tried to protect his sister from being raped before she and another woman were paraded naked and molested in front of others.

The mob, nearly a thousand strong, had attacked the village and torched and looted houses, before killing and raping wantonly. They then abducted two women whose forced naked parade was caught on video.

The FIR filed on June 21 revealed the tale of mayhem which occurred before the abduction and shameful behaviour with tribal women, a video of which has now formed the basis of raids and arrests of people connected with the incident.

The police have arrested four people in connection with parading the women naked a day after the video appeared on social media platforms.

The complaint in this connection was lodged June 21 at Saikul police station in Kangpokpi district.

More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several wounded since ethnic violence broke out May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 percent and reside mostly in the hill districts.