In response to a shocking incident captured in viral videos, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh participated in a public gathering organized to condemn the gruesome attack on two tribal women. The incident, where the women were brutally assaulted and stripped naked, has deeply affected the people of Manipur, who consider women as their mothers. The incident's virality has not only drawn nation-wide condemnation but has also "tarnished the state's reputation,"CM Biren Singh stated.
The distressing video surfaced two days ago, depicting the horrifying scene of the tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men. Following the incident, four of the perpetrators were arrested on Thursday.
CM Biren Singh expressed his concern over the incident and emphasized that the people of Manipur hold women in high regard, considering them as their mothers. The attack has stirred widespread outrage, leading to protests across the state, spanning both valley areas and hills.
"People are demanding that the culprits be given the strictest punishment," asserted CM Biren Singh during the public gathering. He made it clear that the government would take stringent action against all those involved, even considering the possibility of capital punishment, as reported by PTI.
The state of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic strife since early May, with the ongoing tension reaching a boiling point on May 3 during a 'Tribal Solidarity March.' The march was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The ethnic composition of Manipur comprises Meiteis, who constitute about 53 percent of the population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, and tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, accounting for 40 percent and residing mostly in the hill districts.
Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May, over 160 lives have been lost, and several people have been injured. CM Biren Singh's assurance to ensure justice and strict action against the perpetrators comes as the state grapples with the aftermath of these tragic events and seeks to restore peace and harmony among its diverse communities.
