New Delhi: In a shocking development, it was learnt that the National Commission of Women (NCW) had been sent a complaint on the May 4 incident when two Kuki women were assaulted by a mob during the violence in the state, Newslaundry reported.
While the assault took place three months ago, the video went viral only on Thursday.
However, the NCW had been sent a notice on the matter on June 12, but the complainants never received a response or an acknowledgement, the news outlet reported.
The complaint had been filed by two Manipuri women and a Manipur tribal association headquartered abroad, the report said.
The complainants had spoken to the survivors and then emailed NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma.
Newslaundry accessed a copy of the complaint. It was emailed to chairperson-ncw@nic.in, complaintcell-ncw@nic.in and northeastcell-ncw@nic.in.
The complaint clearly stated that on May 4, two women from a village in Kangpokpi district were “disrobed, paraded naked, beaten and then encircled by a marauding Meitei mob and raped in public”.
Also read: Leaders Outraged Over the Brutality and the Impunity With Which Women Were Assaulted in Manipur
The letter made an urgent appeal to the NCW to “urgently assess the disproportionate victimization of Kuki-Zomi indigenous tribal women through brutal and inhumane acts of sexual violence, including rape, kidnapping, public lynching, immolation and murder”.
“Witness accounts reveal the most harrowing and distressing details, including the incrimination of Meitei women vigilantes as enablers and perpetrators of gender-based violence. Victims and survivors allege that Meitei women vigilantes have actively participated in the attacks and assaults on Kuki-Zomi women and children,” the complaint alleged.
“Several Kuki-Zomi women have been forced to flee for their lives during advanced stages of pregnancy or while recuperating from C-section surgeries. Some have given birth in ad hoc refugee camps…” it added.
Newslaundry reported that the complaint alleged that a 15-year-old girl had been kidnapped and a medical examination report “confirmed assault and rape”.
The complaint said these examples underlined the “serious gravity of gender-based violence, appalling levels of womens’ rights violations, and continued threats to the physical safety and psychological well-being of Kuki-Zomi women”.
“Therefore, we humbly and urgently request you to take suo motu cognizance of the matter and if possible, constitute an Inquiry Committee. We have faith in the Constitution of India and the enormous power that the National Commission for Women exercises to create a just world where the rights of all Indian women are respected, realised, and valued, even in times of conflict and war,” it said.
On July 20, when the video went viral and invited outrage from across the country, the NCW tweeted saying it is taking suo motu cognizance of the matter and that the DGP Manipur has been asked to promptly take appropriate action.
NCW condemns the Manipur incident. Taking suo motu cognizance. The DGP Manipur has been asked to promptly take appropriate action.@sharmarekha @MinistryWCD
— NCW (@NCWIndia) July 20, 2023
Rekha Sharma did not respond to Newslaundry’s phone calls.