Seperate Administration: The Only Key That Can Free Kukis From Meitei Atrocities and Their Barbaric Crimes

The CBI in its investigation found a deeper insight into the horrific tragedy the victims met on May 3rd in the case related to a video which became viral in July 2023 and had triggered nationwide outrage, showed the two women — one in her 20s and the other in her 40s — being made to walk naked towards a field by a mob of men.

The “I have no key” response by the police driver when a male victim begged them to drive them away from the mob, has cost a daughter his father, a woman the right over her own body and men a subject of cruelty and violence. The magical key which later appeared in the driver’s hand, however, drove them to a destination they feared most - into a mob of thousands. Had the incident not triggered a nationwide outrage that even the prime minister, who had maintained his silence over Manipur violence until then, was forced to speak, they, the culprits nor the police would have faced any charges under the Biren Government. It’s rather ironic that only a handful among them are being prosecuted and whether criminal charges will be charged against the police still remains unknown.

The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those pertaining to gang rape, murder, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal conspiracy. Under the watchful eye of these policemen, the accused committed the crimes with no fear. Had there been no consensual understanding between the culprits and the police, wouldn’t they have attacked the police as well? Did they at least file a complaint in their police station in the aftermath of the crime? No. Their solidarity and support for their community came before their duties and responsibilities. Thus, these policemen are as guilty as the culprits. Their rightful penalty is thus not a departmental action, but criminal charges to be booked against them as well.

The police have the responsibility to enforce the law, prevent crime, provide emergency response, and provide support services. They are paid by the taxpayer for these services. Thus what stopped them from discharging their duties and responsibilities? An order from higher up? Like all culprits, the state government might deny their role of being an enabler of the barbaric and savage crimes committed against the Kukis. Like no one can hide the sun, so are crimes if committed. A person in power’s words might have more authority but are not necessarily accompanied by authenticity. The victims’ traumatic experiences in the presence of the state policemen stood tall as evidence against the state government’s denial. The police department of Manipur betrayed the hands that feed them. Thus unless all policemen involved in the crimes against humanity committed against the Kukis are terminated from their jobs, they must remember they are just Meitei police, not Manipur police, and should thus, based on their failure to safeguard and protect, and on moral grounds and ethical grounds, refrain from exercising their duties on Kukis and Kuki areas.

Rape is a vicious crime that scars the soul of the victims for years, sometimes for life and destroys the sacred right to decide over one’s own body and sexuality. it ruins the honour, respect, self-confidence and dignity of the victim. They live with shame and are guilt-ridden to their partners. The rapist destroys the happiness of the victim and his family. They forced the victim to be viewed by the society through the lens of being “a rape victim” and defiled woman. For the above reasons and for many more other reasons the victims have to live with, rape is declared a crime against humanity by the UN in 2008 and by many other international organizations later on.

Rape can also be recognized as genocide when it is committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a targeted group. Since in this case, as per the CBI chargesheet, the accused have committed a horrific and inhumane crime against the women because of the community they belong, this case becomes a classic example as to why the violence in Manipur is not an ethnic clash between two community, but a genocide pogrom to ethnically cleanse the Kuki community from Manipur.

Women are often associated with attributes such as humanity, humility, peace, care and love. To one’s dismay, the Meira Paibis of Manipur, rather than demanding justice for the victims in solidarity with them being a woman as well, sought the unconditional release of the culprits. Peace in Manipur is a far cry as long as Meira Paibis continue to act as a barrier between the Hand of Law, its law enforcement agencies and terrorist organizations like Arambai Tenggol, Meitei terrorist outfits like KYKL and UNLF(P) among others and culprits of other crimes. When the victims have to live with a life of fear and insecurity towards every opposite sex, when their honour, dignity and happiness have been destroyed, the very fact that Rescuing the Rapist becomes a more important agenda for the Meitei mothers speaks volumes about the societal mindset and the feeling of their racial superiority over others.

The tragedy of the victims did not end that day nor did it end when the Meira Paibis attempted to rescue the culprit. They still had to witness the insensitive remarks of the Chief Minister of Manipur, Mr Biren Singh. Rather than acknowledging his failure and seeking an apology, he blamed the opposition for the video going viral. His intention to silence the incident and the voice of the victims was clear. The very fact is that despite the presence of many more culprits in the video, only 6 of them are persecuted. It is telling of his intentions to give justice to the victims of the horrific incident.

One thing that stands out from this incident and the many other incidents against which Kukis are subjected to barbaric and savage crimes of the Meitei community, is that there is no room for justice, equality, democracy and freedom for the Kukis in the Meitei-dominated state of Manipur. Thus separate administration is the only key to unlocking and freeing the Kuki from Meitei atrocities and crimes.