DIMAPUR, JULY 21 (MExN): Condemnations and outrage continued to pour in following the nationwide outrage over the Manipur viral video showing two women being paraded naked and abused.
The United Naga Council (UNC), while condemning the incident said that it was devastated to see the "most embarrassing video clip that has gone viral on social media throughout the globe".
The UNC then said no authority should ever allow the perpetrators involved in "such a heinous crime" to go scot free. It further said the government must initiate necessary steps for immediate booking of all the people involved. It further demanded that the perpetrators involved be given capital punishment.
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), while condemning the incident, appealed to the government to restore normalcy in Manipur at the earliest. The ANSAM, urged the concerned authority to take necessary actions and book all the perpetrators at the earliest and befitting punishment should be awarded as per the law of the land.
The Naga Hoho stated that such atrocious acts of violence, committed against vulnerable sections of society, “reflect not only a gross violation of human rights but also a shameful disregard for the principles of humanity and justice.” It demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the heinous acts in Manipur, “including the perpetrators, local leaders, Meira Paibis, vigilante groups and members of civil society organizations complicit in such crimes. This should extend to the police personnel who failed in their duty to protect the vulnerable and remained mere spectators.”
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) slammed the “inability” of the Manipur state government and “silence” of the Central Government “over our brothers and sisters losing their lives” in Manipur. The NPCC urged all respected organizations, NGOs, councils, and urban bodies, to come together and bring peace and understanding among all communities as it once was.
The Women Organisation of the NDPP stated that the gravity of this heinous crime demands immediate attention and action. It implored the authorities to strengthen law enforcement agencies and allocate resources to thoroughly investigate this shocking incident. It is essential that the investigation be conducted in a fair, transparent, and impartial manner, leaving no room for doubt regarding the pursuit of justice, the organization stated.
Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said that he was “ashamed to see that humanity has gone down to such an extent where women were used as objects in ethnic violence and mercilessly tortured.”
Along with the NPF, Azo condemned the incident in the strongest terms and called for the Central Government's immediate intervention without any delay or hesitation to give justice to the victims. “We also call upon the Central Government to immediately restore peace in the troubled Manipur State once and for all,” he appealed.
The party meanwhile appreciated the Supreme Court for saying that intervene if the Government fails to take action by terming the incident a ‘gross constitutional violation’.
The Sümi Hoho said “one cannot help but question the existence of humanity and the innate conscience bestowed upon individuals by God. Are we not supposed to be living in an enlightened and civilized era?” It urged that those responsible for this despicable act face the severest possible penalties.
The Rongmei Lu Phuam (i.e. Rongmei Women’s Organization), Assam, Manipur & Nagaland demanded that all the guilty should be booked and stringent actions taken. “The security personnel who failed to help the victims of the communal violence should also be punished,” it added.
The Poumai Naga Hoho Nagaland (PNHN) urged the State Government and the Government of India to take this matter at the top priority in serving justice to the victims at the earliest and capital punishment against those perpetrators. We extend our support and stand in solidarity during this horrific period the state is enduring, it added.
The North East Catholic community Bangalore (NECCB) expressed concern that had the video not surfaced on social media, “the heinous crime would remain untraceable, which also poorly reflects on the credibility of the law enforcement agencies in Manipur where this crimson tragedy occurred.”
“There is no room for a barbaric act in a civilized society like today. The community is soaked in pain and anger in contrite with the wretched hearts of the families of the victims, and strongly demands punitive measures to be meted out against the culprits,” it urged.
The Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) said “it is unthinkable that, human beings can go to that extent to ill-treat their fellow human beings who also have their own mothers and sisters.” “Seizing the victims by the unruly mob from the hands of the police is also a matter of concern; it is the height of inefficiency and failure of security machinery in the State,” the CBCC stated.
The Mao Hoho Nagaland called upon every right thinking citizen to rise to the occasion in ensuring that “we leave no stone unturned to see that the cry for justice of humanity which we all have sincerely felt is delivered and quickly.” It further questioned why the Central Government, the Prime Minister are conspicuously silent on these horrifying incidents of violence and crime in Manipur.
The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) said it is disturbing to note that “not a slightest respect due for women has been shown in all the cases and that all human rights were horrifyingly violated.” It urged the Government of Manipur to ensure that no stone will be left unturned to apprehend all the culprits and book them. It further asked the Central Government to draw on all sorts of mechanism for a solution at the earliest.
