PM Modi Must Walk the Talk in Bringing Justice to Serious Crimes Against Women Including Kuki-Zo Women

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said there is a need to widely publicise punishments given for atrocities against women so that there is a fear of consequences.

Indeed, serious crimes against women are rampant in the country, and Prime Minister Modi must walk the talk in tackling these heinous crimes against women, including those cases of inhumane treatment of Kuki women perpetrated by the Meitei radicals and armed militia groups.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, Modi said his government has worked on a “women-led development model,” but he was still concerned over incidents of rape and violence against women.

The Government of India must take serious cognisance of the state-sponsored violence and atrocities meted out to the Kukis, particularly the Kuki women, as a result of the Meiteis’ terrorism. PM Modi should remember the scene of three Kuki women who were paraded naked by a thousand Meitei men in the presence of Manipur Police, which, according to right-thinkers, was the death of humanity.

Over a thousand Meitei men paraded three Kuki women naked, molested and thereafter gang-raped them on May 3 last year. They made videos of the incident and let it go viral on social media. It shook not just India but the entire world. It shows humanity’s death and cruelty’s birth in its ugliest form. The noteworthy thing is that none, except for a boy, is arrested in the case. The victims of such heinous crimes still await justice.

The state-sponsored violence in Manipur broke out on May 3 last year and it is continuing even after more than 15 months. It clearly indicates that the N. Biren Singh government is actively supporting the atrocities on Kukis in Manipur. In the ongoing ethnic pogrom, at least 50 Kuki women had to face the brunt of Meiteis’ atrocities. As per statistics, 29 Kuki women were killed and many more were raped and tortured. Eight women were bludgeoned to death, two burnt alive, five shot dead and three lynched. The status of the remaining victims remains unspecified but is believed to be the case of ‘rape and murder’.

Rape or sexual violence has been used as a weapon by the radicalised private militia groups of N. Biren Singh and his political cohorts during the ongoing conflicts. In a heart-wrenching incident, two Kuki young girls were raped and murdered at a car washing centre in Imphal by the Meitei radicals.

Many Kuki women survivors say it was the Meitei women who handed them over to the male crowd, inciting them to rape and kill. Known as Meira Paibis (torch- bearing women), the Meitei womenfolk have been the main instigators of the Arambai Tenggol cadres to rape Kuki women. They once made headlines in the past for their courageous stance against drug mafias and social evils, but are now deeply involved in orchestrating the heinous crimes against their fellow Kuki women during the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom.

For instance, two Kuki girls, aged 19 and 20, who had stayed at a nursing institute hostel in Porompat town in Imphal, said that the Meira Paibis handed them over to an angry Meitei radical youth mob after brutally beating them. The girls said that one Meitei woman even shouted, “Why are you still keeping them alive? Rape them, cut their bodies into pieces, and burn them alive.” Many crimes against women are cold-blooded.

It is important to note that the Kuki women who were the victims of the Meiteis’ atrocities still await justice even after a year of sexual violence in the State. The perpetrators still walk free, deliberately protected by the narcissistic leader N. Biren Singh, the chief minister of Meiteis’ Kangleipak.

During the Independence Day address, the Prime Minister said there is anger among people against such incidents of crimes against women.

“We have worked on a women-led development model. Whether it is innovation, employment, or entrepreneurship, in every sector, women are marching ahead. Look at the defence sector -- air force, army navy, space sector, we are seeing the strength of women everywhere. But on the other hand, some disturbing things also come forward,” he said.

“Today from the Red Fort, I want to express my pain. As a society, we will have to think seriously about the atrocities against our mothers, sisters and daughters. There is anger among common people because of this. I can feel that rage.”

The Prime Minister also said the country must take such incidents seriously and the fear of reprisal must be struck among the perpetrators.

“Crimes against women should be probed swiftly, and stringent punishment should be given to those who commit demonic acts, it is important to instil confidence in society. The need of the hour is to widely publicise punishment for atrocities against women so that there is fear of consequences,” he said, adding that those who commit such sins should know that they will be hanged.