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Content Warning: This article contains discussions of sexual violence which some readers may find upsetting.
Manipur, India: A video has surfaced on social media, seemingly capturing a mob of men, reportedly from the Meitei community in Manipur, parading two Kuki-Zo women naked towards a paddy field. The incident reportedly took place in B Phainom village, Kangpokpi district, on May 4, just one day after the onset of ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis. The video has sent shockwaves across the nation, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
In the disturbing video, the visibly distressed women can be seen pleading for help as they are dragged and molested by their captors. According to a complaint filed on June 21 at Saikul Police Station by the head of B Phainom village, three women were forcibly stripped naked in front of the mob. One of the women was reportedly gang-raped while her father and brother were killed by the mob during the incident.
The complaint led to the registration of a Zero First Information Report (FIR), listing charges of murder, outraging a woman's modesty, rape, and causing grievous hurt against "unknown miscreants" numbering about 900-1,000, suspected to be members of Meitei youth organizations, including Meetei Leepun, Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), Arambai Tenggol, World Meitei Council (WMC), and Schedule Tribe Demand Committee (STDC).
As per the sequence of events described in the complaint, the violence erupted when around 800-1,000 men from Meitei organizations attacked the Kuki-dominated village of B Phainom, burning down houses and accosting a group of five villagers who were trying to flee. The mob stopped the group near Toubul, about 2 km from the Nongpok Sekmai police station, and forced the three women to strip and paraded them naked.
The ongoing clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have left Manipur in turmoil since May 3. The violence was triggered by a solidarity march by tribal groups opposing the demand to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. So far, over 140 people have lost their lives, many have been injured, and nearly 50,000 others have been displaced, adding to the escalating tensions in the region.
In response to the video, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in Manipur has strongly condemned the incident, calling it a "horrifying" and a "despicable scene." The group has demanded that both the central and state governments, as well as the National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, take immediate action to bring the culprits to justice.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized the State and Union governments for their inaction in resolving the escalating situation in Manipur. They have called for the issue to be discussed during the upcoming monsoon session of parliament, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the crisis and take necessary action. Political leaders and others have expressed shock on social media over the Manipur incident, and asked the Central government and the State government to take action against the men involved in the horrific act.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted in Hindi that pictures of sexual violence against women coming from Manipur are “heart-wrenching”. "The amount of condemnation of this horrific incident of violence against women is [scarce]. Women and children have to bear the maximum brunt of violence in the society," she tweeted.
The Supreme Court has expressed shock at the alleged events of the video, with Chief Justice Chandrachud stating that he is "deeply disturbed". He added: "We're giving time to the government to tell us what action has been taken. If the government doesn't act, we will step in."
In response to the growing public outcry, the Prime Minister's Office released a statement condemning the incident and expressing deep concern over the tragic incident in Manipur. The statement reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, particularly women, and stressed that such acts of violence would not be tolerated.
The statement further emphasized that the central government has been closely monitoring the situation in Manipur and that law enforcement agencies are making all-out efforts to apprehend the culprits responsible for the alleged heinous act. It also assured the public that justice would be served, and the perpetrators would be brought to book.
However, critics have argued that the response from the Prime Minister's Office has been inadequate, with many questioning the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the escalating communal violence in Manipur. As the nation grapples with this tragic incident and the ongoing clashes, the need for proactive measures to address the underlying issues of communal tensions and women's safety remains paramount.
This appalling incident resembles a grotesque scene from Game of Thrones, namely the infamous “Walk of Shame” episode, in which Cersei Lannister is paraded naked around the city. However, this violence is not limited to the fantasy world, and is instead a disturbing reality which involves real lives, real suffering, and real consequences.
The disturbing incident has drawn widespread attention and outrage from citizens across the country. As the nation grapples with the gravity of the tragedy, calls for justice and an end to communal violence have intensified. Manipur is facing a critical juncture in its quest for peace and harmony, with the hope that justice will prevail for the victims and their families.