CoTU’s massive protest condemning the horrific act of stripping, gangrape and parading nude 2 Manipur women

A gruesome video of Kuki-Zo women stripped, raped and paraded naked has sent shock waves through the nation and hit global headlines too

By Kaybie Chongloi

Filled with immense pain, anger and agony, hundreds of women under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) held a sit-in protest on Thursday at Leikop village in Champhai Sub Division of Kangpokpi District in Manipur against the shocking act of gang-rape, groping, stripping and parading two Kuki-Zo women through the streets of Thoubal district.

The incident took place on May 4 but the video went viral yesterday as internet is restricted in Manipur since May 3.

In dismay over the heinous and inhumane act, which had never happened in the state of Manipur, the people of Kangpokpi, mostly women, held a sit-in-protest condemning the incident and slamming the gross constitutional violations and infractions of human rights.

The sit-in-protest was also held, demanding the Central Government expedite the process of a “Separate Administration” during the Kuki-Zo political talks to be held on July 26 with the UPF and KNO.

The large number of protestors shouted slogans, “We Want Justice”, “Book the Culprits”, “We Want Separate Administration”, etc.

They also held placards that read, “Punishment for Rape should be nothing but death”, “Rapists are nothing but monsters in a human face”, “the world’s most horrible crime committed against women”, “Barbaric acts never witness before”, “Worse than a Vietnam War”, “Address the Kuki-Zo problems”, “No Solution, No Rest”, etc.

A mother, who is also one of the women’s organizations’ leaders, said that every mother’s and daughter’s heart is bleeding and broken, and are filled with pain and agony to witness the barbaric and inhumane act committed to our sisters.

She said that the Kuki-Zo women will not remain silent unless justice is done and the perpetrators and rapists are all booked and punished.

She also sought the support and cooperation of all women across the country in their commitment to upholding the principles of justice.

Reacting strongly against the gruesome crime against the Kuki-Zo women, the CoTU General Secretary warned that if all the culprits are not booked within 48 hours, CoTU will be compelled to launch a series of intense agitations.

He then urged the Central Government to take cognizance of the gravity of the crime committed against the Kuki-Zo community and expedite the process of “Separate Administration” while resuming the political talks with the UPF and KNO on July 26.

The CoTU also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, through Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi later in the afternoon.

A series of agitations have been lining up in the district over the recent viral video, which shocked the entire nation and the world.

The Kuki Women Union, in collaboration with the CoTU and various other women’s bodies, including human rights bodies, will be organising another protest at Kangpokpi tomorrow.

Also Read: Manipur Viral Video: Shocking video of 2 women paraded naked goes viral, probe underway

COMMENTS