The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur has expressed its concern “with the increasing cases of violence against women during the ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki people in Manipur, perpetrated by the communities in conflict and by the Indian security forces deployed in Manipur”.
“The organisation express our shock and condemnation at nude parading and harassment of two Kuki women by a mob at B Phamom village under Nongpok Sekmai Police Station on 4 May 2023 and the merciless killings of women by both conflicting communities during the course of the violence,” Sanaton, president of the organisation said in a press release.
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The organisation expressed its concern with the reported assault on indigenous women by the Indian security forces deployed to control the ethnic violence in Manipur. As reported in media, more than 60 Meitei women were injured in an assault on June 20, 2023 by personnel of 33 Assam Rifles near Lilong Police Station for demanding the release of youths arrested by them, it stated.
Several Meitei women were also hurt in an assault by Assam Rifles at Kwakta under Bishnupur Police Station on July 8, 2023 for demanding the Indian Army to stop partisan roles among indigenous peoples of Manipur. Another 19 Meitei women were also assaulted by the Rapid Action Force of Central Reserve Police Force on July 18, 2023 Singjamei Chinga Makhong, Manipur for demanding an end to the violence in Manipur, Sanaton stated in the release.
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The rising cases of violence against women perpetrated by communities in conflict and by the Indian security forces is despite the extensive militarisation in Manipur and additional deployment of Indian security forces in Manipur to control the violence in the aftermath of the ethnic conflict from 3 May 2023. The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur would like to urge the Government of India and Government of Manipur to take urgent steps to protect indigenous women from all forms of violence and discrimination in accordance with the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination and Violence against Women and UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the organisation stated.
The Government of India should institute prompt and impartial investigation into all cases of violence against women recorded and prosecute all those involved in perpetuating the violence against indigenous women in Manipur including its security forces, who have a duty bearer role to protect women and all people in Manipur, they added.
The Government of India should be held accountable for failing to contain the violence that has been continuing for almost three months in Manipur: The Government should take urgent steps to end the ongoing violence and restore peace and normalcy in Manipur, the CRA Manipur said.
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