Manipur Women Paraded Naked: NHRC Issues Notice To Manipur Government, DGP, Seeks Report In 4 Weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of complaints seeking its urgent intervention into the incident of a mob taking away five members of a tribal family from police custody in B Phainom village of Kangpokpi district in Manipur on 4 May 2023. It may be noted that a horrific video of the incident showing two women in Manipur being paraded naked and subjected to sexual violence amidst the ethnic conflict in the State has been doing rounds on social media. Allegedly, the mob paraded naked the two of the women, brutally gang-raped one of them, and murdered two male members of the family, who tried to protect the women. Taking cognizance of the same, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Manipur calling for a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks. "It should include the status of the investigation of the FIRs registered with regard to the incidents, the health status of the victim women and other injured persons as well as compensation, if any, granted to the aggrieved persons/ families," the NHRC's notice states.The Commission has also sought to know about the steps taken/ proposed to be taken to safeguard the human rights of the citizens, especially women and vulnerable sections of society from such barbaric incidents.Earlier today, the Supreme Court also took suo motu cognizance of the incident asking the Centre and the State Government to inform it of the steps taken to bring the perpetrators into law.Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had sought for the presence of Attorney General for India R Venkataramani and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta this morning. When the Court assembled, addressing the AG and the SG, CJI said : "We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged yesterday about the two women who were paraded in Manipur. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government really steps in and takes action. This is simply unacceptable".The CJI dictated the following order :"The Court is deeply disturbed by the visuals of the video which have appeared in the media since yesterday about the perpetration of sexual assault and violence on women in Manipur. We are of the view that the Court must be apprised of the steps taken by the government to hold the perpetrators accountable and also to ensure that such instances are not repeated in the strife in Manipur. The visuals which are portrayed in the media would indicate reflects gross constitutional violations and infraction of human rights. Using women as instruments to perpetrate violence is simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. We direct the Union and the State Government to take immediate steps to apprise the Court of what action has been taken".Read more about the order and Court's observations here: 'Deeply Disturbed, Using Women As Instruments To Perpetrate Violence Unacceptable' : Supreme Court Takes Cognizance Of Manipur Sexual Violence Video

Manipur Women Paraded Naked: NHRC Issues Notice To Manipur Government, DGP, Seeks Report In 4 Weeks

Sparsh Upadhyay

Tags