Imphal, Jan 10: The Koubru Range Liangmai Women Union (KRLWU) has strongly condemned the “heinous attack on an innocent indigenous Naga woman” of K. Lungwiram (Konsakhul Lungwiram) by a large number of individuals allegedly from Munlai, Leilonkhunnou, L. Phaiyang and L. Phaikot villages of Kangpokpi district on January 7, 2025, at around 9:30 am.
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“This barbaric act is a grave affront to the dignity, identity, and sanctity of the victim. The perpetrators, armed with slings, sticks, and other weapons, assaulted and dragged her to the ground, hurling abusive language. Such actions, tantamount to an attempt to murder, are intolerable under any circumstances and have caused significant fear and trauma among innocent Naga women,” KRLWU said. In Liangmai Naga customary practices, the dignity and consent of women are of utmost importance, it also said. No one is permitted to touch a woman’s clothing or hair without her explicit consent. The barbaric actions of the Kuki perpetrators are wholly unacceptable in a civilized society, KRLWU added.
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In response, the Koubru Range Liangmai Women Union has imposed an indefinite bandh since January 8, 2025, in Liangmai Naga-dominated areas of the Koubru Range ancestral lands. This bandh serves as an expression of our collective resentment and solidarity against the savage acts of the Kuki perpetrators, the union stated.
The Koubru Range Liangmai Women’s Union said it “intends” to present a ground reality report to COTU that, at the time of bandh, women volunteers are peacefully monitoring vehicular movements, allowing exemptions for medical emergencies, examinations, and other unavoidable circumstances, with prior permission from the union.
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“In the course of gate entry, women volunteers counted the number of Kuki people present without touching the coffin. Their purpose was to relay accurate information to the next gate. After completing the count, they permitted two vehicles carrying the deceased to proceed. The process was handled with diligence and respect, ensuring smooth coordination and passage while maintaining proper decorum. Contrary to false allegations, there has been no disrespect to corpses or any form of invasive behaviour during this peaceful bandh,” the union also said.
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The attack was reportedly carried out with the involvement of the above-mentioned villages along with their volunteers, said the KRLWU. The Koubru Range Liangmai Women’s Union demanded that these individuals present themselves at the union’s office to address this “heinous” act. The indefinite bandh will continue until this demand is met. Non-compliance will result in the intensification of the bandh, KRLWU asserted.
KRLWU then said the Government of Manipur must ensure that the culprits are brought to justice promptly and punished according to the law. “This heinous act constitutes a severe violation of human rights and dignity, requiring the collective responsibility of all communities to seek justice for the victim,” it also said.
“Should any further untoward incidents occur, the chiefs, the involved volunteers, COTU, and the Government of Manipur will bear full responsibility,” KRLWU added.
(Newmai News Network)
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